How We Cooperate: A Theory of Kantian Optimization
by John E. Roemer (Author)

About the Author
John E. Roemer is the Elizabeth S. and A. Varick Stout Professor of Political Science and Economics at Yale University. He is the author of several books, including Sustainability for a Warmer Planet; Democracy, Education, and Equality;Political Competition: Theory and Applications; and Equality of Opportunity.

About this book
A new theory of how and why we cooperate, drawing from economics, political theory, and philosophy to challenge the conventional wisdom of game theory
Game theory explains competitive behavior by working from the premise that people are self-interested. People don’t just compete, however; they also cooperate. John Roemer argues that attempts by orthodox game theorists to account for cooperation leave much to be desired. Unlike competing players, cooperating players take those actions that they would like others to take—which Roemer calls “Kantian optimization.” Through rigorous reasoning and modeling, Roemer demonstrates a simpler theory of cooperative behavior than the standard model provides.

Brief contents
ONE Introduction: Cooperation, Altruism, and Economic Theory 1
Part I Kantian Optimization in Games
TWO Simple Kantian Equilibrium 19
THREE Heterogeneous Preferences: multiplicative and Additive Kantian Optimization 41
FOUR Other Forms of Kantian Optimization 73
FIVE Altruism 81
SIX Is Kantian Optimization Really Nash Optimization under Another Guise? 88
SEVEN Existence and dynamics of Kantian Equilibrium 107
EIGHT Evolutionary Considerations: Can Kantians Resist Invasion by Nashers? 117
NINE Alternative Approaches to Cooperation 130
TEN A Generalization to more Complex Production Economies 148
Part II Kantian Optimization in Market Economies
ELEVEN International Cooperation to Reduce Global Carbon Emissions 159
TWELVE Efficient Provision of a Public and Private Good: A Semimarket Economy 172
THIRTEEN Two designs for market Socialism 178
FOURTEEN An Economy of Worker-Owned Firms 208
FIFTEEN Conclusion: Positive or Normative? 215
Notes 219
References 225
Index 229

Pages: 248
Publisher: Yale University Press (April 23, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0300233337
ISBN-13: 978-0300233339