Schelling's game theory : how to make decisions / Robert V. Dodge.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Thomas Schelling and his signature course on strategic thinking -- Introduction to strategic thought -- Vicarious thinking -- Game theory -- The two-by-two matrix -- Strategies defined and illustrated -- Tactics -- Self-command -- Interaction models -- The dollar auction -- Musical chairs and inescapable mathematics -- The prisoner's dilemma -- Cooperation -- Coordination -- Collective choice and voting -- The commons and fair division -- Case study, overcoming professional basketball's commons dilemma : the Phil Jackson story -- Critical mass and tipping -- Individual decisions and group outcomes -- Randomization in decision-making -- Case study, the Cuban missile crisis : analysis and review.

Thomas Schelling, who wrote the foreword for this book, won the Nobel Prize in economics for "having enhanced our understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis." This came after he had taught a course in game theory and rational choice to advanced students and government officials for 45 years. In this book, Robert Dodge provides in language for a broad audience, the concepts that Schelling taught. Armed with Schelling's understanding of game theory methods and his approaches to problems, the general reader can improve daily decision making. Mathematics often make game theory challenging but was not a major part of Schelling's course and is even less of a factor in this book. Along with a summary of the material Schelling presented, included are problems from the course and similar less challenging questions. While considerable analysis is done with the basic game theory tool--the two-by-two matrix--much of the book is descriptive and rational decision-making is explained with stories. Chapter supplements are added to illuminate points presented by Schelling, including writings by Paul Krugman, Thomas Friedman, Steven Levitt, and others.