Cost of institutional incentives for promoting cooperation in 2×2 games and collective risk games

Evolutionary Game Theory, Institutional Economics, Cooperation Theory

This preprint operates within the established paradigm of evolutionary game theory, specifically focusing on the well-defined problem of promoting cooperation through institutional incentives. The study explores established models like the Prisoner's Dilemma, Stag Hunt, and Collective Risk Game, utilizing standard analytical and numerical methods. While the preprint introduces a generalization by allowing payoff differences to depend on the Markov chain state, this modification doesn't challenge the underlying assumptions of the field. The analysis of cost functions under different selection intensities and game structures represents a standard puzzle-solving activity within the existing paradigm. The research doesn't propose radical new concepts or challenge the existing theoretical framework, thus classifying it as normal science. No evidence of model drift, crisis, or revolutionary ideas are present.