The foundation of stability in extensive games with perfect information

Abstract

This paper studies the decision-theoretic foundation for the notion of stability in the dynamic context of strategic interaction. We formulate and show that common knowledge of rationality implies a "stable" pattern of behavior in extensive games with perfect information. In the "generic" case, our approach is consistent with Aumann's [Aumann, R.J., 1995. Backward induction and common knowledge of rationality. Games and Economic Behavior 8, 6-19] result that common knowledge of rationality leads to the backward induction outcome.©2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.