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Cooperation Through Imitation

Author

Listed:
  • James Bergin

    (Queen's University)

  • Dan Bernhardt

    (University of Illinois)

Abstract

This paper characterizes long-run outcomes for broad classes of symmetric games, when players select actions on the basis of average historical performance. Received wisdom is that when agent's interests are partially opposed, behavior is excessively competitive: ``keeping up with the Jones' '' lowers everyones' welfare. Here, we study the long-run consequences of imitative behavior when agents have sufficiently long memories --- and the outcome is dramatically different. Imitation robustly leads to cooperative outcomes (with highest symmetric payoffs) in the long run. This provides a rationale, for example, for collusive cartel-like behavior without collusive intent on the part of the agents.

Suggested Citation

  • James Bergin & Dan Bernhardt, 2006. "Cooperation Through Imitation," Working Paper 1042, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    • Handle: RePEc:qed:wpaper:1042
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    File URL: https://www.econ.queensu.ca/sites/econ.queensu.ca/files/qed_wp_1042.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Birgitte Sloth & Hans Whitta-Jacobsen, 2011. "Economic Darwinism," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 70(3), pages 385-398, March.
    2. Carlos Alós-Ferrer & Nick Netzer, 2015. "Robust stochastic stability," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 58(1), pages 31-57, January.
    3. Filipe Costa Souza & Leandro Chaves Rêgo, 2014. "Mixed Equilibrium, Collaborative Dominance and Burning Money: An Experimental Study," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 377-400, May.
    4. Nobuyuki Hanaki & Ali I. Ozkes, 2023. "Strategic environment effect and communication," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 26(3), pages 588-621, July.
    5. Alós-Ferrer, Carlos & Weidenholzer, Simon, 2014. "Imitation and the role of information in overcoming coordination failures," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 397-411.
    6. Jason M. Walter & Jeffrey M. Peterson, 2017. "Strategic R&D and the innovation of products: understanding the role of time preferences and product differentiation," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(7), pages 575-595, October.
    7. Accinelli, Elvio & Covarrubias, Enrique, 2015. "Evolution in a Walrasian setting," MPRA Paper 64736, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. , & Katsoulakis, Markos & ,, 2013. "Deterministic equations for stochastic spatial evolutionary games," Theoretical Economics, Econometric Society, vol. 8(3), September.
    9. Khan, Abhimanyu, 2018. "Games between responsive behavioural rules," MPRA Paper 90429, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Cui, Zhiwei & Wang, Rui, 2016. "Collaboration in networks with randomly chosen agents," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 129-141.
    11. Alós-Ferrer, Carlos & Buckenmaier, Johannes, 2017. "Cournot vs. Walras: A reappraisal through simulations," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 257-272.
    12. Shi, Fei & Zhang, Boyu, 2019. "Cournot competition, imitation, and information networks," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 83-85.
    13. Abhimanyu Khan, 2021. "Evolution of conventions in games between behavioural rules," Economic Theory Bulletin, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 9(2), pages 209-224, October.
    14. Hedlund Jonas, 2012. "Altruism and Local Interaction," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(1), pages 1-27, June.
    15. Jonas Hedlund, 2015. "Imitation in Cournot oligopolies with multiple markets," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 60(3), pages 567-587, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Evolution; Imitation;

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D21 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Theory
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection

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