collective action

Game Theory and the Nigerian Economy

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Why rational individual behavior can produce collectively dysfunctional outcomes. Many of Nigeria’s most persistent economic problems appear irrational on the surface. Businesses avoid long-term investment. Consumers bypass formal systems. Firms hoard dollars. Government agencies work at cross-purposes. Infrastructure deteriorates despite repeated spending. Contracts are distrusted. Everyone appears to be acting defensively. The common explanation is […]

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Why Everyone Defects

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A game theory view of why fragile systems produce distrust, defensive behavior, and collective failure. Many failing systems share a common characteristic: No one trusts the system enough to cooperate fully. Businesses delay payments. Consumers avoid compliance. Governments override market signals. Investors demand short-term returns. Employees prioritize extraction over long-term performance. Everyone becomes defensive. At

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Coordination Failure: Why Rational Decisions Produce System-Wide Failure

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Coordination Failure: Why Rational Decisions Produce System-Wide Failure Why systems break when individuals act rationally—but not collectively. Not every failed system is filled with foolish people. Sometimes, everyone is acting rationally. The farmer refuses to invest because there is no guaranteed buyer. The processor refuses to build capacity because supply is fragmented. The bank refuses

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