Conflict and the Social Contract*
研究两个不确定对方战斗潜力的主体如何通过社会契约解决冲突，发现即使和平能避免资源损失，若损失足够小，契约仍可能以正概率引发冲突，并分析权力分布与信息对冲突爆发可能性的影响。
Abstract We consider social contracts for resolving conflicts between two agents who are uncertain about each other's fighting potential. Applications include international conflict, litigation and elections. Even though only a peaceful agreement avoids a loss of resources, if this loss is small enough, then any contract must assign a positive probability of conflict. We show how the likelihood of conflict outbreak depends on the distribution of power between the agents and their information about each other.