The Strategy of Conflict: With a New Preface by the Author Reprint Edition

by Thomas C. Schelling (Author)

72 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0674840317

ISBN-10: 0674840313

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A series of closely interrelated essays on game theory, this book deals with an area in which progress has been least satisfactory―the situations where there is a common interest as well as conflict between adversaries: negotiations, war and threats of war, criminal deterrence, extortion, tacit bargaining. It proposes enlightening similarities between, for instance, maneuvering in limited war and in a traffic jam; deterring the Russians and one’s own children; the modern strategy of terror and the ancient institution of hostages.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Against the backdrop of the nuclear arms race in the late 1950s, Thomas Schelling’s book The Strategy of Conflict set forth his vision of game theory as a unifying framework for the social sciences. Schelling showed that a party can strengthen its position by overtly worsening its own options, that the capability to retaliate can be more useful than the ability to resist an attack, and that uncertain retaliation is more credible and more efficient than certain retaliation. These insights have proven to be of great relevance for conflict resolution and efforts to avoid war. Schelling’s work prompted new developments in game theory and accelerated its use and application throughout the social sciences. Notably, his analysis of strategic commitments has explained a wide range of phenomena, from the competitive strategies of firms to the delegation of political decision power.”―The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

“In eminently lucid and often charming language, Professor Schelling’s work opens to rational analysis a crucial field of politics, the international politics of threat, or as the current term goes, of deterrence. In this field, the author’s analysis goes beyond what has been done by earlier writers. It is the best, most incisive, and most stimulating book on the subject.”―Annals of the American Academy

“An important contribution to understanding the conduct of the ambiguous conflict between the communist bloc on the one hand and the United States and its Free World Allies on the other.”―Journal of Politics

From the Back Cover

'In eminently lucid and often charming language, Professor Schelling's work opens to rational analysis a crucial field of politics, the international politics of threat, or as the current term goes, of deterrence. In this field, the author's analysis goes beyond what has been done by earlier writers. It is the best, most incisive, and most stimulating book on the subject.'

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harvard University Press; Reprint edition (May 15, 1981)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0674840313
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0674840317
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.63 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #137,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,167 in Political Science (Books)

Customer Reviews:
72 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		66%
4 star		18%
3 star		9%
2 star		4%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Tiny

Basis for research

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2020

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I use Schelling as the basis for a significant amount of my research. This book describes how conflict applies and his macromotives and microbehavior is simply spectacular. If you need game theory foundations, his work should be where you start.

One person found this helpful

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Mark Saroufim

Easy to read intro to game theory

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019

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There are other texts that will just overwhelm you with mathematical formalism but this one will give you just enough math and loads of case studies from negotiations to make everything click.

It's been my goto recommendation for friends looking to get into game theory.

2 people found this helpful

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Grant Gibbs

enjoyable game theory

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2010

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Other reviewers have explained Schelling's insights, so I won't bother to touch on them.

Often you read books where economists find new applications for known principles. Often you read books where economists lay down some new insight they've had into what can be a very technical field.

Strategy of Conflict does both. Schelling does a wonderful job finding applications for *new* insights and explaining them in a readable way.

15 people found this helpful

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Paul Bruce Coursey

Good

Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2019

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Very goosebumps

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R. Robinson

still captivating and relveant

Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2009

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By far the easiest to read and most conversational of all the game theory books I've read (which are several). Despite being written a 20 plus years ago, still relevant, accurate and at times profound. Some college international relations classes still use this text I recently discovered from a friend. I recommend this text as an essential primer into game theory/political strategy over anything else. Once you tackle this perhaps you will be ready for John Von Neumann.

10 people found this helpful

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Robert Hughes

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2018

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Important Book

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Juan Jose Sanchez-Sosa, PhD

It is a classical book but new types of political negotiations make it a little obsolete.

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019

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Henry Kissinger must have used it a lot back in the old days.

One person found this helpful

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Philipp Altrock

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2017

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one of the best book on practical applications of game theoretic thinking

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Top reviews from other countries

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Fascinating

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2020

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Fascinating content. A little hard for mass readers like myself.

Anindya Bhattacharjee

A great read for Strategy/Game Theory enthusiasts

Reviewed in India on January 14, 2014

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The seminal work comprises some of the most clever concepts in managing conflicts and strategic behaviour. Many of the ideas from Schelling's work have been referred in other strategy/game theory texts, but it is enthralling to read his ideas first-hand.

This is one of those books that need the reader to pause and think and absorb and move on to the next idea. Extremely engaging.

One person found this helpful

bsfrombelgium

un classique

Reviewed in France on August 4, 2006

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ce livre est un classique et la base de nombreuse theorie en matiere de gestion... de conflits, il apporte des notions de theorie des jeux... avec des exemples concrets et vecus, il presente le processus "theorique" ou plutot "non-theorique" des decouvertes en matiere de doctrine strategique... tout est vraiment bien, juste un detail, il s'agit d'une reedition d'un bouquin des annees 60 au mieux, malheureusemetn ou heureusement entre temps les choses ont malgre tout un peu evolues, ne serait-ce que par expl. la fin de la guerre froide.

3 people found this helpful

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Delivered timely and with a good quality

Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2020

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N/A

visa

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2015

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AMAZING BOOK

One person found this helpful

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