Beautiful game theory : how soccer can help economics A wealth of research in recent decades has seen the economic approach to human behavior extended over many areas previously considered to belong to sociology political science law and other fields. Research has also shown that economics can illuminate many aspects of sports including soccer. Beautiful Game Theory is the first book that uses soccer to test economic theories and document novel human behavior.In this brilliant and entertaining book Ignacio Palacios Huerta illuminates economics through the worlds most popular sport. He offers unique and often startling insights into game theory and microeconomics covering topics such as mixed strategies discrimination incentives and human preferences. He also looks at finance experimental economics behavioral economics and neuroeconomics. Soccer provides rich data sets and environments that shed light on universal economic principles in interesting and useful ways.Essential reading for students researchers and sports enthusiasts Beautiful Game Theory is the first book to show what soccer can do for economics.