Puerto Rico as a Critical Locality: Is a Post-Colonial Puerto Rico Possible? A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Impasse over Puerto Rico's Status

Guerra-Pujol, F. E.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1134053

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Puerto Rico as a Critical Locality: Is a Post-Colonial Puerto Rico Possible? A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Impasse over Puerto Rico's Status

St Thomas Law Review, vol. 20, no. 3 (2008), pp. 561-571

11 Pages Posted: 19 May 2008 Last revised: 5 Dec 2014

See all articles by F. E. Guerra-Pujol

F. E. Guerra-Pujol

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico

Date Written: May 16, 2008

Abstract

The author applies the game-theoretic concept of the 'truel' (or three-person duel) to the Puerto Rico status debate. In summary, the debate over Puerto Rico's future political status resembles a three-person, sequential, random-order truel in which no single player is able to eliminate the other two players. In addition, the author applies some concepts from evolutionary biology (path dependence) and behavioral economics (loss aversion) to explain the current impasse over Puerto Rico's status. Finally, the author examines recent strategic behavior in the US Congress over Puerto Rican status.

Keywords: Truel, Endowment Effect, Path Dependence

JEL Classification: C79, H77

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Guerra-Pujol, F. E., Puerto Rico as a Critical Locality: Is a Post-Colonial Puerto Rico Possible? A Game-Theoretic Analysis of the Impasse over Puerto Rico's Status (May 16, 2008). St Thomas Law Review, vol. 20, no. 3 (2008), pp. 561-571, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1134053 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1134053