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The core of a strategic game

  • Parkash Chander EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: March 22, 2018

Abstract

In this paper, I introduce and study the γ-core of a general strategic game. I first show that the γ-core of an arbitrary strategic game is smaller than the conventional α- and β- cores. I then consider the partition function form of a general strategic game and show that a prominent class of partition function games admit nonempty γ-cores. Finally, I show that each γ-core payoff vector (a cooperative solution) can be supported as an equilibrium outcome of an intuitive non-cooperative game and the grand coalition is the unique equilibrium outcome if and only if the γ-core is non-empty.

JEL Classification: C71-73

Notes

The paper has benefitted from comments by Myrna Wooders, Parimal Bag, and seminar participants at UPenn and Vanderbilt University. Two anonymous referees of this journal made very useful comments which have led to significant improvements in the paper. An earlier version of the paper was completed during my visit to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in fall 2016. I wish to thank the Department of Economics, NTU, for the hospitality and stimulating environment.


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Published Online: 2018-03-22

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