The table below shows how the payoffs to two political candidates depend on whether the candidates run a positive or negative campaign. The payoffs are given in terms of the percentage change in the number of votes received.
Suppose that the Republican candidate tells the Democratic candidate that he intends to run a positive campaign. The likely result is that:
A)both candidates will run a positive campaign.
B)the Republican candidate will run a positive campaign, and the Democratic candidate will run a negative campaign.
C)both candidates will run a negative campaign.
D)the Republican candidate will run a negative campaign, and the Democratic candidate will run a positive campaign.

Question

The table below shows how the payoffs to two political candidates depend on whether the candidates run a positive or negative campaign. The payoffs are given in terms of the percentage change in the number of votes received.  
 Suppose that the Republican candidate tells the Democratic candidate that he intends to run a positive campaign. The likely result is that:
A)both candidates will run a positive campaign. 
B)the Republican candidate will run a positive campaign, and the Democratic candidate will run a negative campaign. 
C)both candidates will run a negative campaign. 
D)the Republican candidate will run a negative campaign, and the Democratic candidate will run a positive campaign.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Running a negative campaigning is a dominant strategy for both candidates, so the Republican candidate's statement will not influence what the Democratic candidate does, and it is in the Republican candidate's interest to run a negative campaign too.

The Table Below Shows How the Payoffs to Two Political