Loss of commitment? An evolutionary analysis of Bagwell's example

Jörg Oechssler and Karl Schlag

No 1997,39, SFB 373 Discussion Papers from Humboldt University of Berlin, Interdisciplinary Research Project 373: Quantification and Simulation of Economic Processes

Abstract: In a recent paper Bagwell (1995) pointed out that only the Cournot outcome, but not the Stackelberg outcome, can be supported by a pure Nash equilibrium when actions of the Stackelberg leader are observed with the slightest error. The Stackelberg outcome, however, remains close to the outcome of a mixed equilibrium. We compare the predictions in various classes of evolutionary and learning processes in this game. Only the continuous best response dynamic uniquely selects the Stackelberg outcome under noise. All other dynamics analyzed allow for the Cournot equilibrium to be selected. In typical cases Cournot is the unique long run outcome even for vanishing noise in the signal.

Keywords: imperfectly observable commitment; evolution; imitation; learning; equilibrium selection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C72 C73 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Working Paper: Loss of Commitment? An Evolutionary Analysis of Bagwell’s Example (1997)
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