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Insights from the Field

Troops Not Just Luck: Game Theory in International Rivalries


game theory
international relations
major powers
strategic competition
International Relations
JOP
1 archives
Dataverse
An International Game of Risk: Troop Placement and Major Power Competition was authored by Olga Chyzh, Carla Martinez Machain, Mark David Nieman and Sam R. Bell. It was published by Chicago in JOP in 2021.

This study examines how major powers strategically place troops during international competitions.

Game Simulation

Researchers used a game theory model to analyze troop placement decisions across multiple countries and regions, simulating competitive scenarios between state actors. Data was drawn from public military reports, historical archives (post-1945 conflicts), and expert interviews with defense analysts.

Key Findings

* Troops often reflect a calculated risk assessment rather than opportunistic placement.

* Strategic positioning frequently follows predictable patterns aligned with game theory principles. 🚫

* Power projection decisions show systematic deviations from purely rational models, suggesting bounded rationality or institutional constraints. ※

Why It Matters

These insights provide a clearer understanding of how geopolitical competition unfolds in practice and offer new tools for analyzing military strategy.

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