Welcome to the Cooperation Models module! This module explores one of the most fundamental questions in social science: how and why do humans cooperate? We’ll use game theory and agent-based modeling to understand the conditions that promote or hinder cooperation in social systems.
Overview¶
Cooperation models help us understand how individuals can work together for mutual benefit, even when short-term self-interest might suggest otherwise. Through computational modeling, we’ll explore classic cooperation dilemmas, evolutionary strategies, and the role of reputation, punishment, and reward systems in maintaining cooperative behavior.
Student Learning Objectives (SLOs)¶
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- Develop students’ understanding of biblically-guided norms of justice, equality, freedom, and stewardship.
- Increase students’ knowledge of social systems and of human behavior within such systems (revisited in the context of cooperation and dilemmas).
- Apply algorithmic, statistical, and/or mathematical methods to solve problems (as applied to cooperation and social dilemmas).
- Explain the fundamental cooperation dilemmas (Prisoner’s Dilemma, Public Goods, etc.)
- Understand evolutionary approaches to cooperation and reciprocity
- Analyze the role of institutions, norms, and sanctions in promoting cooperation
- Evaluate different mechanisms for solving collective action problems
- Implement game theory models in NetLogo
- Model evolutionary strategies and fitness landscapes
- Simulate reputation systems and social learning mechanisms
- Analyze equilibrium outcomes and stability conditions
- Assess the conditions under which cooperation emerges and persists
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different institutional designs
- Critique the assumptions of rational choice and evolutionary models
- Connect cooperation theory to real-world social and political challenges
- Present game theory concepts to diverse audiences
- Discuss the implications of cooperation research for policy design
- Articulate the tension between individual and collective interests
- Engage with debates about human nature and social institutions
📚 Slides and Readings¶
Required Readings¶
Core Reading Materials
Axelrod, R. (1980). Effective choice in the prisoner’s dilemma. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 24(1), 3-25.
- 📖 PDF Download
- 🎯 Focus on: Tournament results and the success of Tit-for-Tat
Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons. Selected chapters on institutional design principles.
- 📖 PDF Download
- 🎯 Focus on: Design principles for stable resource institutions
Nowak, M. A. (2006). Five rules for the evolution of cooperation. Science, 314(5805), 1560-1563.
- 📖 PDF Download
- 🎯 Focus on: Mechanisms that promote cooperation evolution
Fehr, E., & Gächter, S. (2000). Cooperation and punishment in public goods experiments. American Economic Review, 90(4), 980-994.
- 📖 PDF Download
- 🎯 Focus on: The role of punishment in maintaining cooperation
📝 Homework¶
🌟 Extra Materials¶
Historical Context¶
The Development of Cooperation Theory
Game Theory Foundations:
- Von Neumann, J., & Morgenstern, O. (1944). Theory of games and economic behavior. Princeton University Press.
- Nash, J. (1950). Equilibrium points in n-person games. PNAS, 36(1), 48-49.
- Tucker, A. W. (1950). A two-person dilemma. Stanford University Press.
Evolutionary Approaches:
- Hamilton, W. D. (1964). The genetical evolution of social behaviour. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 7(1), 1-16.
- Trivers, R. L. (1971). The evolution of reciprocal altruism. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 46(1), 35-57.
- Maynard Smith, J. (1982). Evolution and the theory of games. Cambridge University Press.
Institutional Analysis:
- Olson, M. (1965). The logic of collective action. Harvard University Press.
- Hardin, G. (1968). The tragedy of the commons. Science, 162(3859), 1243-1248.
- Ostrom, E. (2009). A general framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems. Science, 325(5939), 419-422.
Real-World Applications¶
Cooperation in Action
Natural Resource Management:
- Community forestry and fisheries management
- Water allocation and irrigation systems
- Common pool resource governance
- Climate change cooperation
Organizational Behavior:
- Team collaboration and productivity
- Corporate social responsibility
- Supply chain cooperation
- Innovation networks and knowledge sharing
International Relations:
- Trade agreements and economic cooperation
- Environmental treaties and compliance
- Security alliances and peacekeeping
- Global governance institutions
Discussion Questions:
- Why do some communities successfully manage common resources while others fail?
- How can organizations design incentives to promote teamwork?
- What role does culture play in cooperation and trust?
- How can technology facilitate or hinder cooperative behavior?
Contemporary Challenges:
- Digital commons and open source collaboration
- Platform cooperatives and gig economy governance
- Global cooperation on pandemic response
- Corporate cooperation on sustainability goals