Prisoners of reason
Subtitle: game theory and neoliberal political economy
By: S.M. Amadae, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 333
ISBN-13: 9781107064034; 9781107671195
Subjects: Social choice; International relations; Political science; Political aspects; Philosophy; Game theory; Neoliberalism
Description: Is capitalism inherently predatory? Must there be winners and losers? Is public interest outdated and free-riding rational? Is consumer choice the same as self-determination? Must bargainers abandon the no-harm principle? Prisoners of Reason recalls that classical liberal capitalism exalted the no-harm principle. Although imperfect and exclusionary, modern liberalism recognized individual human dignity alongside individuals' responsibility to respect others. Neoliberalism, by contrast, views life as ceaseless struggle. Agents vie for scarce resources in antagonistic competition in which every individual seeks dominance. This political theory is codified in non-cooperative game theory; the neoliberal citizen and consumer is the strategic rational actor. Rational choice justifies ends irrespective of means. Money becomes the medium of all value. Solidarity and good will are invalidated. Relationships are conducted on a quid pro quo basis. However, agents can freely opt out of this cynical race to the bottom by embracing a more expansive range of coherent action. Proposes that game theory offers an unprecedented approach to markets and democracy that is qualitatively distinct from classical liberalism. Argues that neoliberal political economy is characterized by the Prisoner's Dilemma model of the social contract so readers will see how neoliberal political economy is reactionary. Readers will understand complex nuclear deterrence debates and their ongoing impact because the book offers a compact and novel elaboration of the nuclear security debate between the strategies of MAD and NUTS.--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-323) and index.