An Introduction to Game Theory
 with Economic Applications

by

Andrew J. Buck

 

1. A First Look

            A First Homework
           Cigarette Advertising

2. Strategic Form Games

3. Dominance Solvability
                Bertrand Duopoly

4. Nash Equilibrium
       Multiple Equilibria by Roger McCain
                Min-max
                Felix and Oscar: An Example of a Player's Best Response
                The Pizza Wars: An Example
                The Cola Wars: An example of a coordination problem

        Homework: IEDS - Nash - - Oil Wells

5. Tragedy of the Commons

6. Mixed Strategies
                Reason 1
                Reason 2
                Reason 3
                Solving Mixed Strategy Games
                Rock - Paper-Scissors
                Len Guienie and Al Dente go after the spaghetti market
                Frank and Kathy Lee go out

7. Mixed Strategy Applications
                Monopoly
                Bankruptcy

        Mixed Strategy Homework: A Day at the Beach
                                                Publishing: Lex E. Kahn v. Thea Soraus
                                                Market Niches 

        Classic Strategic Form Games

8. Extensive Form Games
                Information and Extensive Form Games
                Backward Induction
                    Commitment:
                        The Proposal
                        Kidnapped
                        Netsoft versus Macroscape
                Kuhn's Theorem on Solvability
                Iterative Elimination and Backward Induction
                Poison Pills
                An Application: R&D

           Extensive Form Game Homework: Bush versus Gore
                                                          The Duel: Hamilton versus Burr
                                                          Career Decisions
                                                          Normal Form and Extensive Form
                                                          Credibility and Subgames

9. Sub-game Perfect Equilibrium
                Buck's Bolts: An Example
                George and Gina: An Example
                Treasury Bill Auctions: A Dynamic Game with Imperfect Information  

           Subgame perfect equilibrium homework: Market Entry

10. Bilateral Trade: A Static Game in Strategic Form with Complete Information

11. Involuntary Unemployment: A Dynamic Game with Uncertainty

12. Time Consistent Monetary Policy: Making Credible Commitments

13. Static Games with Incomplete Information Part 1
                and Part 2

         Homework: Trade Relations
                         Rob R. Baron and Bea Ware

14. Auctions
                Glossary
                1st Pay
                2nd Pay
                All Pay
                Selling State Liquor Stores

                Homework: Equivalence of Auctions
                                 All-pay Auction

           Other reading: Mester
                                  Lucking-Reiley

15. Dynamic Games with Incomplete Information
                Homework: The Value of Pedigree: Angie O'Plastie and Amanda Reckonwith 
                                  Good Cars and Bad Cars

16. The Market for Lemons