Game Theory and The Declaration of Independence and

Game Theory and The Declaration of Independence and The Articles of Confederation

2. 10 The Concentration of Power is the biggest threat to liberty and free choice.

Of the three options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power? Least?

Presidential Parliamentary Of the two options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power? Least? Dictatorship Republic (representative democracy) Direct Democracy Of the two options which has the greatest potential for abuse of power? Least?

During what period of time did people in this country live under a unitary government? Why was the removal of our representative in parliament such a big deal?

Circle all actions that increased the concentration of power How did England create more of a unitary government? How did they progress toward a dictatorship and away from a representative government? How did they create artificial barriers?

Why didn’t the American Colonies have problems coordinating their efforts during the revolution?

We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately. Benjamin Franklin

What game is this from unit 1? Determine the payoffs for each strategy. State 2 Fight British State 1 Stay loyal to British

Player 2 Cooperate Player 1 Defect Win!!!!!! Defect

Stag Hunt!!!!!!

Why was it important that representatives signed their names to the Declaration of Independence?

They were showing each other that they were “burning their boats”.

Why did the American states have problems coordinating their efforts after the revolution?

Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787) League of Friendship between states Reaction to British Rule. States had sovereignty and could establish own laws, currency, and tariffs States had all domestic power, central government had little or no power. Congress dealt with foreign issues and debt. Congress had no enforcement power or Congress had no power to tax and could only ask for donations. Congress had no power to force states to provide to the military. 1 state = 1 vote regardless of size or population 13 out of 13 states had to approve changes No judicial branch to judge and no executive branch to enforce congressional laws

Spending money but government too poor to operate

Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787) States voluntarily donated money but still enjoyed the protections of the central government regardless if they donated. Rhode Island donated a grand total of $0. 00 States did not have to contribute but still enjoyed the external benefits- classic “free rider” problem In terms of a repeating prisoner’s dilemma the states that did donate realized that it wasn’t worth supporting all of the states and of course would seek their self interest. not donate states donate not 1, 1 5, 0 donate 0, 5 3, 3

Articles of Confederation Problems Causes Solution States did not follow Central Government’s laws The Central Government had no money. It couldn’t pay debts. Inflation Disputes and division among states No trade or treaties with foreign nations and no reprisals against nations that hurt trade Instability both economically and politically Summarize Problems Summarize causes of problem Summarize solutions

Articles of Confederation Problems Causes Solution States did not follow Central Government’s laws That Central Government had Increase Central Power no enforcement power The Central Government had no money. It couldn’t pay debts. The Central Government had no power to tax Give the Central Government power to tax Inflation Over printing by both the Central Government and state governments States created inter-state tariffs, taxes and navigational rights disputes The Central Government had no power to enforce National Currency No Central Power Increase Central Power Disputes and division among states No trade or treaties with foreign nations and no reprisals against nations that hurt trade Instability both economically and politically National court system, central control of inter-state trade Make it easier for the Central Government to act

Articles of Confederation (1781 -1787) Interstate Trade Interstate tariffs State 1 Interstate tariffs No interstate tariffs Outcomes? State 2 no interstate tariffs

What is the overall solution to these issue? Brainstorm some methods of coordination. What is the trade-off of needing an unanimous (13/13) vote to make changes? Benefits? Costs? Make a list of cost and benefits with regards to the decision to increase the power of the central government. What are some methods to prevent the central government from abusing its power?

Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning #1 Information 2: Information 1: After 1756 the British became increasingly abusive of their power. Critical Analysis Questions 2 1. Looking at the complaint section of the Declaration of Independence. Circle any action that would have resulted in a concentration of power. Critical Analysis Questions 1: 2. Why would the king attempt to limit American’s Representation? Information 3: Recall that Stag Hunt, relies on trusting that parties will cooperate. 1. Rank potentially most abusive to least abusive. Explain 2. Between Presidential and Parliamentary Rank potentially most abusive to least abusive. Explain Critical Analysis Questions 3: 3. Between Dictatorship, Direct Democracy, and Republic 1. Why didn’t the American Colonies have problems coordinating their efforts during the revolution? Rank potentially most abusive to least abusive Explain 2. Why did the signatures better ensure that all parties would cooperate?

Information 4: Information 5: The Articles of Confederation led to a free riding problem. States realized that they could still get the benefits of protection without having to pay taxes. Critical Analysis Questions 5: 1. Predict how other states would respond when they realized that some states were not contributing to the government. Critical Analysis Questions 4: 1. What is the trade-off of needing an unanimous (13/13) vote to make changes? Benefits? Costs? 2. Why would the did the founders create a government with such little power?

2. Complete chart and summarize columns