The prisoners dilemma is probably the most well known product of game theory. Typically, the game is used to illustrate the difficulty of sustaining mutual cooperation. But, as the name may suggest, it also raises questions about justice and the legal system. A recent article in the economist suggested that power has swung too much in favour of the prosecution in the US justice system. The prisoners dilemma can help us understand how easily this can happen. Suppose that Fred and William are arrested by the police in regard to a serious crime. The two are put in separate rooms and questioned. There is clear evidence that they committed a minor crime but the evidence regarding the serious crime is weak. The basic options open to the two suspects are to deny the serious crime or confess but blame the other suspect. If they both deny then they will receive one year in jail for the minor crime. If both confess then they will receive ten years in jail for the serious crime.
Some random thoughts on game theory, behavioural economics, and human behaviour