Cooperation and diversity. An evolutionary approach

Luigino Bruni () and Alessandra Smerilli

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: n this paper we propose a pluralistic and multi-dimensional ap- proach to cooperation. Specifically, we seek to show that, in certain settings, less unconditional forms of cooperation may be combined with more gratuitous ones. Starting with the prisoner’s dilemma game, the evolution of cooperation is analyzed in the presence of different strate- gies, which represent the heterogeneity of the forms of cooperation in civil life. There are many behaviour patterns, though not all of them are based on self-interest and conditionality. The dynamics of coop- eration are studied through the use of evolutionary games applied in contexts that are either one-shot or repetitive. One of the most impor- tant results of the paper is the conclusion that cooperation is favoured by heterogeneity.

Keywords: cooperation; Prisoner’s Dilemma; reciprocity; hetero- geneity; evolutionary game theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C73 D64 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-exp, nep-gth, nep-hpe, nep-neu and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pra:mprapa:20564

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