USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The U.S. debt deadlock between the Democrats and Republicans that springs up from time to time is a classic example of a prisoner’s dilemma. Let’s say the utility or benefit of resolving the U.S. debt issue would be electoral gains for the parties in the next election.

Detailed explanation-2: -Understanding the Prisoner’s Dilemma The prisoner’s dilemma presents a situation where two parties, separated and unable to communicate, must each choose between cooperating with the other or not. The highest reward for each party occurs when both parties choose to co-operate.

Detailed explanation-3: -The prisoners’ dilemma has applications to economics and business. Consider two firms, say Coca-Cola and Pepsi, selling similar products. Each must decide on a pricing strategy. They best exploit their joint market power when both charge a high price; each makes a profit of ten million dollars per month.

Detailed explanation-4: -The prisoner’s dilemma was designed by Melvin Dresher and Merrill Flood, two scientists at the RAND Corporation, but received its name by Albert W. Tucker (see for an overview on the origins of the prisoner’s dilemma game Poundstone, 1992).