How Lies Induced Cooperation in 'Golden Balls': A Game-Theoretic Analysis

12 Pages Posted: 15 Jan 2020

See all articles by Steven J. Brams

Steven J. Brams

New York University (NYU) - Wilf Family Department of Politics

Ben Mor

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: December 25, 2019

Abstract

We analyze a particular episode of a popular British TV game show, “Golden Balls,” in which one of the two contestants lied about what he intended to do, which had the salutary effect of inducing both contestants to cooperate in what is normally a Prisoners' Dilemma (PD), wherein one or both contestants usually defected. This “solution” to PD assumes that the liar desired to be honorable in fulfilling his pledge to split the jackpot if he won but, surprisingly, he achieved this end without having to do so, astonishing the audience and receiving its acclaim. We note that this action has a biblical precedent in King Solomon’s decision to cut a baby in two.

Keywords: Golden Balls, Prisoners' Dilemma, Game Theory, Game Transformation, Honor

JEL Classification: C72, D70

Suggested Citation

Brams, Steven and Mor, Benl, How Lies Induced Cooperation in 'Golden Balls': A Game-Theoretic Analysis (December 25, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3509505 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3509505

Steven Brams (Contact Author)

New York University (NYU) - Wilf Family Department of Politics ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://politics.as.nyu.edu/object/stevenbrams.html

Benl Mor

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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