Applied Game Theory

The use of game theory’s mathematical models—which analyze strategic interactions between rational decision-makers—to solve real-world problems in economics, business, politics, and biology. It moves beyond the textbook “Prisoner’s Dilemma” to design auctions, negotiate treaties, price products, or even schedule airport security checks. Practitioners don’t just predict what players will do; they design the rules of the “game” itself to incentivize better outcomes, like creating a market that naturally reduces pollution or a contract that aligns an employee’s interests with the company’s.

Example: “The city used applied game theory to fix traffic. Instead of just adding lights, they made each traffic signal an ‘agent’ in a game, rewarded for keeping cars moving on its road but penalized for creating gridlock on intersecting streets. The signals started cooperating, learning to form ‘green waves.’ They didn’t just react to traffic; they played a city-sized game of optimization and won.”

by Abzunammu February 2, 2026

Historical Game Theory

The analytical approach of using game theory to model and understand the strategic decisions of historical actors—kings, generals, diplomats, revolutionaries. It asks: given their information, incentives, and the likely actions of their rivals, was going to war, signing a treaty, or betraying an ally a “rational” move? This doesn’t reduce history to math, but provides a sharp lens to cut through narrative and see the cold, strategic calculus behind pivotal moments.

Example: “A historical game theory analysis of the Cuban Missile Crisis frames it not as a moral showdown, but as a brutal game of ‘Chicken’ between Kennedy and Khrushchev. Each move—the blockade, the secret deal to remove missiles from Turkey—was a strategic play to force the other to swerve (back down) without triggering mutual annihilation. It shows how they rationally danced on the edge of an irrational abyss.”

by Abzunammu February 2, 2026

Social Game Theory

The application of game theory to everyday interpersonal and social dynamics—friendship, reputation, gossip, dating, and office politics. It decodes the unspoken rules and strategies behind why you buy a round of drinks, how gossip spreads, or the subtle dance of a flirtation. It treats social life as a series of iterated games where the payoff is social capital, trust, or mating success.

Example: “Explaining why I always help my neighbor move his couch, my friend used social game theory: ‘It’s an iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma. You cooperate (help) to build trust and reciprocal cooperation. If you defect (refuse), you save an afternoon but lose future help and damage your reputation in our social network. The couch isn’t furniture; it’s a token in a long-term trust game.’”

by Abzunammu February 2, 2026