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Information structure and the tragedy of the commons in resource extraction

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  • AMIR, Rabah
  • NANNERUP, Niels

Abstract

This paper considers the well-known Levhari-Mirman model of resource extraction, and investigates the effects of the information structure of the dynamic game - open-loop, Markovian or history-dependent - on the equilibrium consumption path and the overall utility of the agents. The open-loop regime yields a Pareto-optimal outcome. The Markovian regime leads to the most pronounced version of the tragedy of the commons. History-dependent behavior yields an outcome set that is intermediate between the other two cases. The level of efficiency of equilibrium behaviour is thus U-shaped as a function of the level of information extraction strategies are based on. The analysis suggests that in environments characterized by a dynamic (and no market) externality, forcing agents to commit to open-loop behavior would constitute welfare-improving regulation.

Suggested Citation

  • AMIR, Rabah & NANNERUP, Niels, 2004. "Information structure and the tragedy of the commons in resource extraction," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2004040, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    • Handle: RePEc:cor:louvco:2004040
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    Cited by:

    1. AMIR, Rabah, 2001. "Stochastic games in economics and related fields: an overview," LIDAM Discussion Papers CORE 2001060, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
    2. David González-Sánchez & Onésimo Hernández-Lerma, 2014. "Dynamic Potential Games: The Discrete-Time Stochastic Case," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 4(3), pages 309-328, September.
    3. Alejandra Fonseca-Morales & Onésimo Hernández-Lerma, 2018. "Potential Differential Games," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 254-279, June.
    4. Agah R. Turan, 2019. "Intentional time inconsistency," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 86(1), pages 41-64, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    dynamic resource games; open-loop; closed-loop and trigger strategies; Pareto optimality; regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games

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