ICES Experimental Economics Brown Bag Lecture

Salt the Earth -Spiteful Strategies in Imperial Expansion

Thursday, March 27, 2025 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EDT
Vernon Smith Hall (formerly Metropolitan Building), Room 5075

The Interdisciplinary Center for Economic Science (ICES) presents an ICES Brown Bag Lecture featuring:

Hugo Diaz

George Mason University

Salt the Earth -Spiteful Strategies in Imperial Expansion

 

 

 

Abstract

This article presents a formal economic framework for retributive penalties as a strategic tool in imperial expansion. I extend the annexation versus conquest model by Grossman and Mendoza (2002) by introducing anticipated punishment (factored into strategic decisions) and actual punishment (realized in value destruction), which facilitates the examination of severe retribution in imperial conquests. Furthermore, I characterize the dynamic between an expanding empire and target groups as an extensive game with perfect information. The model illustrates how penalties can act as credible threats that influence strategic decisions; empires might deliberately destroy economic value through punitive measures if such actions yield advantageous results in the future.

 

For more information about the Brown Bag Lectures, please visit the Brown Bag Schedule homepage.