Strategy : an introduction to game theory

Game theory has become an enormously important field of study It is now s vital methodology for researchers and teachers in many disciplines, including economics, political science, biology, and law. This book provides a thorough introduction to the subject and its applications, at the intermediate level of in struction. It is primarily designed for the upper-division game theory courses that are offered in most undergraduate economics programs. It also serves graduate students in economics, political science, law, and business who seek a solid and readable introduction to the theory. The book can be a primary or secondary source for graduate courses that have a significant game-theoretic

component. I have designed this book in pursuit of the following three ideals:

1. Coverage of the Essential Topics, without Excess. This book covers the

basic concepts and insights of game-theoretic reasoning, along with clas

sic examples and applications, without being overblown. The entire book

can be digested in a semester course. Thus, instructors will not have to

worry about having their students skipping or bouncing between chapters

as much as is the case with most other textbooks. In terms of content, the

book's major innovation is that it integrates an analysis of contract in the

development of the theory. Research on contract has blossomed in the past

few decades and, in my experience, students are keenly interested in this

important game-theoretic topic. This book offers one of the first substan

tive treatments of contract at the intermediate level, without bending too far

from the standard game theory coverage.

2. Proper Mathematics without Complication. This book does not skimp on mathematical precision. However, every concept and application pre sented here is developed using the simplest, most straightforward mode that I could find. In other words, the book emphasizes mathematically rig orous analysis of simple examples rather than complicated analysis of gem eral models. This hastens the reader's understanding of key ideas withou getting bogged down in unnecessary mathematical formalism.