Advanced microeconomics

2x2 Normal-Form Game

A strategic-interaction notebook that highlights best responses, Nash equilibria, and the contrast between coordination and prisoner's-dilemma style incentives.

Microeconomics Game theory Advanced EasyEcon / Marimo Price theory to strategic interaction
Focus

Best responses, equilibrium selection, and strategic tension

Change payoffs to see how best-response maps, equilibrium outcomes, and strategic tension shift across familiar 2x2 games.

EasyEcon interactive

2x2 Game notebook

EasyEcon / Marimo

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Best responses, equilibrium selection, and strategic tension

Change payoffs to see how best-response maps, equilibrium outcomes, and strategic tension shift across familiar 2x2 games.

Open full screen
The EasyEcon Marimo/WASM bundle loads only when requested or when the panel scrolls near view on fast connections.

What to explore

Change parameters and watch the model adjust.

  • Payoff entries for the four action pairs
  • Preset toggles for coordination, prisoner's dilemma, and matching-pennies style cases

Core ideas

Interpret the mechanics before you chase the graphs.

  • A Nash equilibrium is a mutual best response, not necessarily a socially efficient outcome.
  • Changing one payoff can alter both players' strategic incentives and the equilibrium set.
  • Game classification becomes easier when best responses are shown explicitly.

Learning goals

What this model should help students internalize.

  • Construct best responses in a two-player normal-form game.
  • Identify pure-strategy Nash equilibria and classify common strategic environments.
  • Interpret why coordination problems and prisoner's-dilemma incentives feel different even in the same 2x2 structure.

Prerequisites

Concepts to review before diving in.

  • Comfort reading payoff matrices
  • Basic optimisation logic and strategic reasoning

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