Robert Axelrod's "Conflict of Interest" proposes a theory of divergent goals, positing that conflict arises not from differing preferences, but from diverging interests, even when preferences are aligned. This approach, rooted in formal modeling and game theory, offers a new lens for understanding political behavior and the dynamics of cooperation and conflict.
The book applies this theory to political phenomena, using models to explain why cooperation breaks down and how political actors pursue their divergent interests. Readers will learn to identify situations where alignment of preferences does not guarantee cooperation, and understand the role of institutions and strategic interactions in mitigating or exacerbating conflicts arising from divergent goals.
Key concepts
- Divergent Goals — A situation where individuals or groups have opposing interests, even if their underlying preferences might be the same.
- Formal Modeling — The use of mathematical and logical frameworks to represent and analyze complex situations.
- Game Theory — A branch of mathematics concerned with the analysis of strategies in situations where the outcome depends on the choices of multiple participants.