Comment on Nash Equilibria and Schelling Points

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 01:09:41 GMT

reasons for categorically opposing blackmail seem like reasons for categorically opposing rent-seeking

Well, I agree, but only because in general the reasons for categorically opposing something that would otherwise seem rational to cooperate with are similar. That is, the strategy of being seen to credibly commit to a policy of never rewarding X, even when rewarding X would leave me better off, is useful whenever such a strategy reduces others' incentive to X and where I prefer that people not X at me. It works just as well where X=rent-seeking as where X=giving me presents as where X=threatening me.

Can you expand on your model if rent-seeking?

Discuss