1. To Vote or Not to Vote: Mr. and Mrs. Ward typically vote oppositely in elections and so their votes "cancel each other out." They each gain two units of utility from a vote for their positions (and lose two units of utility from a vote against their positions). However, the bother of actually voting costs each one unit of utility. Diagram a game in which they choose whether to vote or not to vote. (your answer should be in a table & identify the Nash equilibrium)
2. To Vote or Not to Vote Part II: Suppose Mr. and Mrs. Ward agreed not to vote in tomorrow's election. Would such an agreement improve utility? Would such an agreement be an equilibrium? (explain in approximately 100 words)
3. Every year, management and labor renegotiate a new employment contract by sending their proposals to an arbitrator who chooses the best proposal (effectively giving one side or the other $1 million). Each side can choose to hire, or not hire, an expensive labor lawyer (at a cost of $200,000) who is effective at preparing the proposal in the best light. If neither hires lawyers or if both hire lawyers, each side can expect to win about half the time. If only one side hires a lawyer, it can expect to win three-quarters of the time.
Diagram this simultaneous move game.
What is the Nash Equilibrium of the game?
Would the sides want to ban lawyers? (in words make sure you explain your logic and also show your work)
4. Two equal-sized newspapers have overlap circulation of 10% (10% of the subscribers subscribe to both newspapers). Advertisers are willing to pay $10 to advertise in one newspaper but only $19 to advertise in both, because they're unwilling to pay twice to reach the same subscriber. What's the likely bargaining negotiation outcome if the advertisers bargain by telling each newspaper that they're going to reach agreement with the other newspaper, so the gains to reaching agreement are only $9? Suppose the two newspapers merge. What is the likely post-merger bargaining outcome? (in words make sure you explain your logic and also show your work)
5. You've entered into a contract to purchase a new house, and the closing is scheduled for next week. It's typical for some last-minute bargaining to occur at the closing table, where sellers often try to tack on extra fees. You have three options for the closing: (1) attend yourself, (2) send an attorney authorized to close only per the previously negotiated terms, or (3) pre-sign all the closing documents per the current terms and not attend the closing. Which of these would be most advantageous from a bargaining position? (explain in approximately 100 words)