Explain the commitment problem and how it applies to the stag hunt scenario.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Student answers may vary but should accurately explain what the commitment problem is and how it applies to the stag hunt scenario. In the study of world politics, the commitment problem occurs because countries have a hard time committing to cooperative courses of action that assure their partners that they will keep their end of the deal for mutual benefit and forego the possibility of their own short-term gains. In the stag hunt, for example, the individual hunter must choose between cooperating for the good of all or defecting for selfish gain. But each hunter must also consider the possibility that another member of the hunting party might be faced with a similar choice and must consider the consequences of cooperating with the group if another member does chase the rabbit.
In this case, the game is a coordination and reassurance game. The hunter who chooses not to chase the rabbit will also get dinner from the stag. Further, by going after the rabbit, the hunter will betray the society and make it very likely that he will be kicked out of the village. Thus, there are plenty of reasons for the hunter to stay the course and go after the stag. However, all the hunters need to know that they are equally committed to the stag hunt so that a rabbit will tempt none of them.