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An Experimental Analysis of Asymmetric Power in Conflict Bargaining

Author

Listed:
  • Katri Sieberg

    (School of Social Science and Humanities, FIN-33014 University of Tampere, Finland)

  • David Clark

    (Department of Political Science, Binghamton University (SUNY), Binghamton, NY 13902, USA)

  • Charles A. Holt

    (Department of Economics, University of Virginia. Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA)

  • Timothy Nordstrom

    (Department of Political Science, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA)

  • William Reed

    (Department of Government & Politics, University of Maryland, 3140 Tydings Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA)

Abstract

Demands and concessions in a multi-stage bargaining process are shaped by the probabilities that each side will prevail in an impasse. Standard game-theoretic predictions are quite sharp: demands are pushed to the precipice with nothing left on the table, but there is no conflict regardless of the degree of power asymmetry. Indeed, there is no delay in reaching an agreement that incorporates the (unrealized) costs of delay and conflict. A laboratory experiment has been used to investigate the effects of power asymmetries on conflict rates in a two-stage bargaining game that is (if necessary) followed by conflict with a random outcome. Observed demands at each stage are significantly correlated with power, as measured by the probability of winning in the event of disagreement. Demand patterns, however, are flatter than theoretical predictions, and conflict occurs in a significant proportion of the interactions, regardless of the degree of the power asymmetry. To address these deviations from the standard game-theoretic predictions, we also estimated a logit quantal response model, which generated the qualitative patterns that are observed in the data. This one-parameter generalization of the Nash equilibrium permits a deconstruction of the strategic incentives that cause demands to be less responsive to power asymmetries than Nash predictions.

Suggested Citation

  • Katri Sieberg & David Clark & Charles A. Holt & Timothy Nordstrom & William Reed, 2013. "An Experimental Analysis of Asymmetric Power in Conflict Bargaining," Games, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-23, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgames:v:4:y:2013:i:3:p:375-397:d:27697
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Herbst, Luisa & Konrad, Kai A. & Morath, Florian, 2017. "Balance of power and the propensity of conflict," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 168-184.
    2. Schaller, Zachary & Skaperdas, Stergios, 2020. "Bargaining and conflict with up-front investments: How power asymmetries matter," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 212-225.
    3. Charles A. Holt & Sean P. Sullivan, 2023. "Permutation tests for experimental data," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(4), pages 775-812, September.

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