Teaching Game Theory in IR

I find that teaching Game Theory, specifically the Prisoner's Dilemma, to be a bit dull. This year I spiced it up by writing a play. Next year I will spend more time working on the staging or consider "hiring" teacher actors to improve the delivery. Still, I think it was worthwhile and a better way to teach it. This lesson leads up to our study of strategy used during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

What a Dilemma for a Prisoner

By Ms. Marcus

	Prisoner B stays silent (cooperates)	Prisoner B betrays (defects
Prisoner A stays silent (cooperates)	Each serves 1 year (-1, -1)	Prisoner A: 3 years Prisoner B: goes free (-3, 0)
Prisoner A betrays (defects)	Prisoner A: goes free Prisoner B: 3 years (0, -3)	Each serves 2 years (-2, -2)

Roles:

Prosecutor

Police Officer A

Prisoner A

Lawyer A

Police Officer B

Prisoner B

Lawyer B

In Room Number 1

Police Officer A:  We have arrested you for stealing a vegan chocolate bar from the cafeteria.

Prisoner A: You have no proof!

Lawyer A: You have no proof!

In Room Number 2

Police Officer B: We have arresting you for stealing a vegan almond bar from the cafeteria!

Prisoner B: You have no proof!

Lawyer B: You have no proof.

In Common Area:

Police Officer A: We have no proof, but we know he/she did it.  

Police Officer B: We have no proof, but we know he/she did it.

Prosecutor: Wait a minute. They both allegedly stole the vegan bars from the cafeteria. They must be part working together.

In Room Number 1

Police Officer A  and Prisoner A: Listen, we know you stole the vegan bar from the cafeteria.

Lawyer A and Prisoner A: You have no proof!

Prosecutor: We believe that there is a larger Prisoner conspiracy to steal vegan bars from the cafeteria. We have another thief in custody on the same charge. If you give him up before he gives you up, you will be set free, and the other Prisoner will get 3 years in prison.

Prisoner A: And if I don’t?????

Prosecutor: Well, if the other Prisoner gives you up, he/she goes free while you serve 3 years in prison.

Lawyer A: And if they both give each other up?

Prosecutor 1: They both get 2 years in prison.

Lawyer A: And if they both stay silent?

Prosecutor: Because I never lose a case, they will each serve 1 year in prison.

Lawyer A: Is he/she getting offered the same deal?

Prosecutor: Yes.

Prisoner A: What a dilemma for a prisoner!

Lawyer A: I want to draw this out for you, so you understand

In Room Number 2

Police Officer B and Prosecutor: Listen, we know you stole the vegan bar from the cafeteria.

Lawyer B and Prisoner B: You have no proof!

Prosecutor: We believe that there is a larger Prisoner conspiracy to steal vegan bars from the cafeteria. We have another thief in custody on the same charge. If you give him up before he gives you up, you will be set free, and the other Prisoner will get 3 years in prison.

Prisoner B: And if I don’t?????

Prosecutor: Well, if the other Prisoner gives you up, he/she goes free while you serve 3 years in prison.

Lawyer B: And if they both give each other up?

Prosecutor: They both get 2 years in prison.

Lawyer B: And if they both stay silent?

Prosecutor: Because I never lose a case, they will each serve 1 year in prison.

Lawyer B: Is he/she getting offered the same deal?

Prosecutor: Yes.

Prisoner B: What a dilemma for a prisoner!

Lawyer B: Let me draw it for you so you understand

In Room Number 1

(Prosecutor, Police Officer A, Prisoner A, Lawyer A)

Prosecutor: So, what will it be?

Lawyer A: Go ahead.

Prisoner A: My friend, Prisoner B, has masterminded a plan to steal vegan bars from the cafeteria. I just stole one on his behalf.

Prosecutor: I’ll be right back with you.

In Room Number 2

(Prosecutor, Police Officer B, Prisoner B, Lawyer B)

Prosecutor: So, what will it be?

Lawyer B: Go ahead.

Prisoner B: My friend, Prisoner A, has masterminded a plan to steal vegan bars from the cafeteria. I just stole one on his behalf.

Prosecutor to Police B: Bring the prisoner outside.

Prosecutor goes to Room Number 2

Prosecutor to Police B: Bring the prisoner outside.

In Common Area with Entire Cast Present

Prosecutor to both prisoners: You have both confessed and implicated the other. You are sentenced to 2 years in jail. And just so you know, you can’t be a vegan in prison.  

Why didn’t they just choose to stay silent? Because, according to the International Relations’ theory of Realism, every actor thinks every other actor is out for his own best interest. So according to the theory, you would assume betrayal.