HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series
HKS Working Paper No. RWP20-026
August 2020
Abstract
Deterrence is a generic situation, where player 2 threatens to bash player 1, should he
harm her. Typical player 1’s are bomb builders, market invaders, or computer hackers. 2’s
decision whether to bash will depend on a noisy signal. 1 may have the ability to disrupt the
signal. The game has a unique equilibrium. If it involves mixed strategies, signal reliability benefits both players. Signal disruption hurts 2 for sure and only benefits 1 if 2 believes he is unlikely to possess it.
Citation
Ma, Siyu, Yair Tauman, and Richard Zeckhauser. "Deterrence Games and the Disruption of Information." HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series RWP20-026, August 2020.