Game Theory in IR MCQs - International Relations

1. What is Game Theory primarily concerned with in the context of International Relations? A. Environmental policies B. Strategic interactions between states C. Economic development D. Technological innovation Answer: B 2. Which of the following is a key concept in Game Theory? A. Economic growth B. Military power C. Nash equilibrium D. Technological advancement Answer: C 3. Who is one of the pioneers of Game Theory? A. Immanuel Kant B. John Nash C. Kenneth Waltz D. Hans Morgenthau Answer: B 4. The Nash equilibrium occurs when: A. All players choose to cooperate B. Each player’s strategy is optimal given the strategies of other players C. One player dominates the others D. There is no clear winner Answer: B 5. Which type of game involves players making decisions at different times? A. Static game B. Simultaneous game C. Sequential game D. Cooperative game Answer: C 6. In Game Theory, what is a “zero-sum game”? A. A game where all players win B. A game where one player’s gain is another player’s loss C. A game with no clear outcome D. A game involving environmental strategies Answer: B 7. The Prisoner’s Dilemma is an example of a: A. Zero-sum game B. Non-cooperative game C. Cooperative game D. Sequential game Answer: B 8. In the context of IR, the Prisoner’s Dilemma can illustrate: A. Military alliances B. Economic growth strategies C. Arms races D. Environmental agreements Answer: C 9. Which of the following best describes a “dominant strategy”? A. A strategy that results in the highest payoff for a player regardless of other players’ actions B. A strategy that depends on other players’ moves C. A strategy that leads to a draw D. A strategy used in cooperative games Answer: A 10. What does the concept of “Pareto efficiency” refer to in Game Theory? A. A situation where one player can improve their payoff without affecting others B. A situation where no player can improve their payoff without reducing another player’s payoff C. A situation where all players cooperate D. A situation with no clear outcome Answer: B 11. Which type of game involves players cooperating to achieve a better outcome? A. Zero-sum game B. Non-cooperative game C. Cooperative game D. Sequential game Answer: C 12. In Game Theory, a “payoff matrix” is used to: A. Represent environmental strategies B. Show the payoffs for each player based on different strategy combinations C. Indicate technological advancements D. Compare military strengths Answer: B 13. The concept of “backward induction” is used in which type of game? A. Zero-sum game B. Non-cooperative game C. Simultaneous game D. Sequential game Answer: D 14. What is a “strategy profile” in Game Theory? A. A representation of all possible outcomes B. A set of strategies chosen by all players in the game C. A matrix showing payoffs D. A single player’s strategy Answer: B 15. In a “repeated game,” players: A. Make decisions only once B. Make decisions over several periods C. Have no information about past decisions D. Always cooperate Answer: B 16. The “Tit for Tat” strategy is commonly associated with: A. Zero-sum games B. Single-shot games C. Repeated games D. Non-cooperative games Answer: C 17. In the context of IR, Game Theory can help analyze: A. Environmental impacts B. Technological advancements C. Diplomatic negotiations and treaties D. Cultural exchanges Answer: C 18. The “Stag Hunt” game illustrates the conflict between: A. Military and economic strategies B. Short-term and long-term gains C. Cooperation and risk D. Environmental and technological strategies Answer: C 19. Which game theory concept helps explain why states might not cooperate even when it is in their best interest to do so? A. Nash equilibrium B. Dominant strategy C. Prisoner’s Dilemma D. Backward induction Answer: C 20. In a “mixed strategy,” players: A. Always choose the same strategy B. Randomize over different strategies C. Switch strategies based on other players’ moves D. Cooperate fully Answer: B 21. Game Theory can be used to analyze which type of IR scenario? A. Global environmental policies B. Economic development strategies C. Trade negotiations and tariff disputes D. Cultural exchanges Answer: C 22. In Game Theory, a “credible threat” is one that: A. Is likely to be ignored B. Can be enforced and believed by other players C. Is technologically advanced D. Relies on economic incentives Answer: B 23. Which game illustrates the problem of collective action in international relations? A. Prisoner’s Dilemma B. Stag Hunt C. Battle of the Sexes D. Chicken Game Answer: A 24. The “Chicken Game” is often used to analyze: A. Environmental policies B. Military brinkmanship C. Economic cooperation D. Technological innovation Answer: B 25. In Game Theory, a “pure strategy” involves: A. Randomizing choices B. A clear, definitive choice of action C. Alternating strategies D. Always cooperating Answer: B 26. Which concept in Game Theory deals with the likelihood of different outcomes occurring based on players’ strategies? A. Payoff matrix B. Probability distribution C. Dominant strategy D. Nash equilibrium Answer: B 27. A “dominant strategy equilibrium” occurs when: A. All players choose their dominant strategies B. One player dominates the others C. Cooperation is guaranteed D. There is no clear winner Answer: A 28. The “Grim Trigger” strategy in repeated games means: A. Cooperating until the other player defects, then always defecting B. Randomizing choices C. Always cooperating D. Switching strategies frequently Answer: A 29. Game Theory assumes that players are: A. Irrational B. Unpredictable C. Rational and strategic D. Always cooperative Answer: C 30. The “Battle of the Sexes” game illustrates: A. Military strategies B. Coordination problems C. Environmental agreements D. Economic development Answer: B 31. In Game Theory, “payoffs” refer to: A. Environmental outcomes B. Economic growth C. The benefits or costs associated with different strategies D. Military strength Answer: C 32. “Utility” in Game Theory represents: A. Military power B. Economic wealth C. A player’s satisfaction or preference ranking D. Environmental sustainability Answer: C 33. In the context of IR, a “commitment problem” occurs when: A. States cannot agree on environmental policies B. States cannot credibly commit to cooperative agreements C. States focus on technological advancements D. States prioritize economic growth Answer: B 34. Which game theory concept is used to analyze strategic moves in negotiations? A. Payoff matrix B. Nash equilibrium C. Strategic form game D. Extensive form game Answer: D 35. The “Minimax strategy” is used in: A. Zero-sum games to minimize the maximum possible loss B. Cooperative games to maximize collective gain C. Non-cooperative games to ensure cooperation D. Repeated games to alternate strategies Answer: A 36. Game Theory can help explain why arms control agreements: A. Are always successful B. May fail due to mistrust and verification issues C. Are unnecessary in modern IR D. Focus solely on economic incentives Answer: B 37. “Information asymmetry” in Game Theory refers to: A. Equal knowledge among players B. One player having more information than others C. Cooperation based on shared knowledge D. Randomizing choices Answer: B 38. Which of the following is an example of a non-zero-sum game in IR? A. Arms race B. Trade negotiations C. Territorial disputes D. Technological rivalry Answer: B 39. “Subgame perfect equilibrium” is a refinement of: A. Nash equilibrium in extensive form games B. Dominant strategy in static games C. Zero-sum game outcomes D. Cooperative game strategies Answer: A 40. The “Folk Theorem” in repeated games suggests that: A. Cooperation is impossible B. A wide range of outcomes can be sustained by rational players C. Defection is inevitable D. Strategies must be randomized Answer: B 41. In IR, the concept of “credible commitment” is crucial for: A. Military strategies B. Economic policies C. Ensuring compliance with international agreements D. Technological innovation Answer: C 42. The “War of Attrition” game in IR models: A. Military alliances B. Trade disputes C. Conflicts where states endure costs over time to outlast opponents D. Environmental negotiations Answer: C 43. Game Theory in IR often assumes that states are: A. Irrational actors B. Predictable and passive C. Rational and strategic actors D. Always cooperative Answer: C 44. In Game Theory, “incomplete information” refers to: A. Players having full knowledge of all aspects of the game B. Players lacking information about other players’ preferences or payoffs C. Randomizing strategies D. Ensuring full cooperation Answer: B 45. Which game theory concept explains why mutual defection can occur even when cooperation is beneficial? A. Nash equilibrium B. Dominant strategy C. Prisoner’s Dilemma D. Tit for Tat Answer: C 46. “Repeated Prisoner’s Dilemma” can lead to: A. Guaranteed defection B. Sustained cooperation through strategies like Tit for Tat C. Randomized strategies D. Immediate cooperation Answer: B 47. In the context of IR, “deterrence” can be analyzed using: A. Zero-sum games B. Cooperative games C. Game theory models like Chicken Game D. Technological models Answer: C 48. Which of the following best describes “mutual assured destruction” in Game Theory terms? A. A cooperative strategy B. A dominant strategy C. A Nash equilibrium in a zero-sum game D. A deterrence strategy where both sides have incentives to avoid conflict Answer: D 49. Game Theory can help analyze the strategic interactions between: A. Only economic actors B. Only technological innovators C. States, non-state actors, and international organizations D. Environmental agencies Answer: C 50. The “Schelling point” or “focal point” in Game Theory refers to: A. The dominant strategy in a game B. The solution that players tend to choose in the absence of communication, because it seems natural or relevant to them C. The randomization of strategies D. The payoff matrix Answer: B

Game Theory in IR MCQs – International Relations

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