2023
Theory of Games Applied to International Relations
Name: Theory of Games Applied to International Relations
Code: ECN13119L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Legal-Political Theory and International Relations
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
At the end of the semester the student must be able to:
- Identify the dominant theoretical approaches that explain the strategic thinking process in the international system;
- Understand the political process and of the IR in decision-making under certainty and uncertainty;
- Identify the key decision-making theory instruments;
- Assess the implications of modeling strategic behavior;
- Intuit, formalize, describe a game;
- Identify key institutions and political actors in IR in a game theory context.
- Identify the dominant theoretical approaches that explain the strategic thinking process in the international system;
- Understand the political process and of the IR in decision-making under certainty and uncertainty;
- Identify the key decision-making theory instruments;
- Assess the implications of modeling strategic behavior;
- Intuit, formalize, describe a game;
- Identify key institutions and political actors in IR in a game theory context.
Contents
1. Fundamentals Notions of Mathematics. Understanding Calculus, Algebra and Probability.
2. Decision Trees in International Relations.
3. Game Theory in International Relations.
3.1. Fundamental Game theory notions in IR: Static games, players, strategies, pay-offs, Nash equilibrium in pure and mixed strategies, backward induction
3.2. Applications
3.2.1. The case of the Prisoner's Dilemma
3.2.2. Game of the Cold War and "détente"
3.2.3. Game Country Invader / Defense. Military strategy: Sun-tzu, Clausewitz.
3.2.4. Fighting Terrorism game: FBI, CIA, NSA and the fight against Al-Qaeda.
3.2.5. Game Trade between EU and US: Free trade as Nash equilibrium.
3.2.6. Game Revolution.
4. Theory of Advanced Games.
2. Decision Trees in International Relations.
3. Game Theory in International Relations.
3.1. Fundamental Game theory notions in IR: Static games, players, strategies, pay-offs, Nash equilibrium in pure and mixed strategies, backward induction
3.2. Applications
3.2.1. The case of the Prisoner's Dilemma
3.2.2. Game of the Cold War and "détente"
3.2.3. Game Country Invader / Defense. Military strategy: Sun-tzu, Clausewitz.
3.2.4. Fighting Terrorism game: FBI, CIA, NSA and the fight against Al-Qaeda.
3.2.5. Game Trade between EU and US: Free trade as Nash equilibrium.
3.2.6. Game Revolution.
4. Theory of Advanced Games.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and applied classes (debates and group works)
Continuous Assessment:
Individual work: 20% assessed by weekly assignments of each type of game;
Group work: 30% in which a real IR case is presented at the end of the semester.
Mid term exam: 50%
Or eventually: Final Exam (100%)
Continuous Assessment:
Individual work: 20% assessed by weekly assignments of each type of game;
Group work: 30% in which a real IR case is presented at the end of the semester.
Mid term exam: 50%
Or eventually: Final Exam (100%)
Assessment
In terms of assessment, with regard to the continuous assessment regime, this consists of carrying out two written tests: the first, focusing on chapters 1, 2 and part of chapter 3, worthing 40% in the calculation of the final classification; the second, focusing on chapters 3 and 4, worthing 60%, in the calculation of the final classification. With regard to the evaluation system by final exam, this consists of a written test (100%).
Teaching Staff
- António Bento Ratão Caleiro [responsible]
- Miguel Rocha de Sousa
