In Defense of Moderate Envy
Abstract
In contrast to Axelrod’s advice “don’t be envious” it is argued that the emotion of envy may enhance cooperation. TIT FOR TAT does exhibit a certain degree of envy. But, it does so in inconsistent ways. Two variants of TIT FOR TAT are introduced and their strategic properties are analyzed. Both generate the very same actual play as TIT FOR TAT in a computer tournament without noise. However, if noise is introduced they display some greater degree of stability. This is due to the fact that they form, in a prisoner’s dilemma supergame with suitable parameters, an equilibrium with themselves that is subgame perfect or (in case of the first strategy) close to subgame perfect. It is additionally argued that these strategies are exceptionally clear and comprehensible to others in that they conform to well known real live behavior patterns.
© 2000 by Lucius & Lucius, Stuttgart
Articles in the same Issue
- Generalised Reciprocity and Reputation in the Theory of Cooperation: A Framework
- Cooperation via Hostages
- Cooperation via Social Networks
- Rational and Adaptive Playing
- In Defense of Moderate Envy
- Exit, Anonymity and the Chances of Egoistical Cooperation
- On Six Advances in Cooperation Theory
Articles in the same Issue
- Generalised Reciprocity and Reputation in the Theory of Cooperation: A Framework
- Cooperation via Hostages
- Cooperation via Social Networks
- Rational and Adaptive Playing
- In Defense of Moderate Envy
- Exit, Anonymity and the Chances of Egoistical Cooperation
- On Six Advances in Cooperation Theory
