U.S. Political Atmosphere
Interestingly enough, the current ongoing presidential race can be routed back to our course, Networks I, through several different avenues. First, there is an aspect of game theory at play, especially with regards to the current 2016 presidential race. Obviously, a candidate’s platform will reflect certain aspects of game theory, as they joust with other stances for the spotlight. For example, during the primaries of election season, candidates are more likely to err on the side of being more ideological, to not only attract more polarized voters (which is what tends to happen), and to separate themselves from other nominated candidates in their own party. For the voters, it often becomes their best interest to vote for the individual least abrasive to the overall American populace, and thus most likely to win regardless of personal affiliations. Choosing a well-liked personality from one’s party alignment is more likely to guarantee the overall success of the party in winning the oval office.
In addition, we can narrow in more specifically on the presidential debates. It has been theorized that the debates, from the presidential hopefuls’ perspectives, can utilize the tenants of game theory. One article (first link below), suggests that candidates create “focal points.” Creating these focal points is a reaction to rival positions to place the candidate in question in the best light and receive the most attention. For first place candidates, the article suggests acknowledging only the last place candidate, for the second place candidate, to target the first place candidate, and for all others, to simply focus on differentiating oneself to best “game” the debates. Another theory approaches Donald Trump’s bellowing, and often-times caustic, stand as a candidate (second link below). This hypothesis makes an analogy comparing Trump to a monopolistic corporation. In response to the other individuals who have made remarks against him, it seems logical for Trump to start a price war (in real life, to hurl slander back) to protect his position, and inflict damage on the other candidate, although also to himself. In this scenario, we can clearly see that the Trump and the Republican candidates are involved in a game of how to best direct attention and affirmation to themselves.
As a small, final aside: the presidential race is also linked to our course by its internet network impact. Google has released data showing that Donald Trump has been leading the lines in search count. On the social media network side, candidates have taken their platforms online to Twitter, Facebook, and the like to reach out to an aging, but still younger demographic and to adapt to the changing network technology of today’s society.
Sources:
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/09/18/what-game-theory-tells-us-about-wednesdays-debate-and-the-republican-primary/
- http://mindyourdecisions.com/blog/2015/08/11/strategic-moves-in-donald-trumps-presidential-campaign-game-theory-tuesdays/#.ViLV9aKwD9g
- http://www.people-press.org/2014/10/17/political-polarization-in-action-insights-into-the-2014-election-from-the-american-trends-panel/
- http://fortune.com/2015/08/05/donald-trump-map/