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A general definition of perfect equilibrium

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Listed:
  • J'anos Flesch
  • Christopher Kops
  • Dries Vermeulen
  • Anna Zseleva

Abstract

We propose a general definition of perfect equilibrium which is applicable to a wide class of games. A key feature is the concept of completely mixed nets of strategies, based on a more detailed notion of carrier of a strategy. Under standard topological conditions, this definition yields a nonempty and compact set of perfect equilibria. For finite action sets, our notion of perfect equilibrium coincides with Selten's (1975) original notion. In the compact-continuous case, perfect equilibria are weak perfect equilibria in the sense of Simon and Stinchcombe (1995). In the finitely additive case, perfect equilibria in the sense of Marinacci (1997) are perfect. Under mild conditions, perfect equilibrium meets game-theoretic desiderata such as limit undominatedness and invariance. We provide a variety of examples to motivate and illustrate our definition. Notably, examples include applications to games with discontinuous payoffs and games played with finitely additive strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • J'anos Flesch & Christopher Kops & Dries Vermeulen & Anna Zseleva, 2025. "A general definition of perfect equilibrium," Papers 2511.16367, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2511.16367
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    1. Einy, E. & Haimanko, O. & Moreno, D. & Sela, A. & Shitovitz, B., 2015. "Equilibrium existence in Tullock contests with incomplete information," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 241-245.
    2. MERTENS, Jean-François, 1989. "Stable equilibria - a reformulation. Part I. Definition and basic properties," LIDAM Reprints CORE 866, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
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