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Dynamic commitment games, efficiency and coordination

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  • Dutta, Rohan
  • Ishii, Ryosuke

Abstract

An important form of commitment is the ability to restrict the set of future actions from which choices can be made. We study a simple two player dynamic game of complete information which incorporates this type of commitment. For a given initial game, the players engage in an endogenously determined number of commitment periods before choosing from the remaining actions. We show the existence of equilibria with pure strategies in the commitment periods. Partial characterization results for general games capture the tradeoff between commitment and deterrence. The equilibrium outcome is unique and efficient for two classes of games, including pure coordination and stag-hunt games.

Suggested Citation

  • Dutta, Rohan & Ishii, Ryosuke, 2016. "Dynamic commitment games, efficiency and coordination," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 699-727.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jetheo:v:163:y:2016:i:c:p:699-727
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jet.2016.03.004
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Doval & Jeffrey C. Ely, 2020. "Sequential Information Design," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 88(6), pages 2575-2608, November.
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    3. Arieli, Itai & Babichenko, Yakov & Tennenholtz, Moshe, 2017. "Sequential commitment games," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 297-315.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Dynamic commitment; Endogenous timing; Deterrence; Coordination games; Payoff dominance; Stag hunt;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games

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