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On the mutually beneficial cooperative scheme: Dynamic change in the payoff matrix of international river basin schemes
Author(s) -
Dufournaud Christian M.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr018i004p00764
Subject(s) - stochastic game , mekong river , structural basin , scheme (mathematics) , point (geometry) , computer science , matrix (chemical analysis) , operations research , mathematical economics , economics , mathematics , geology , mathematical analysis , materials science , composite material , paleontology , geometry
Mutual benefit is the most common criterion by which scholars view international cooperative river basin schemes. Since all riparians are not equally committed financially to the completion of such a project and since the benefits of the project will accrue to each party at different rates over time, a probability exists that one of the partners will opt out at a point advantageous to suit himself. Utilizing metagame theory, this paper explores the possibilities open to riparians in the Columbia and Lower Mekong River Basin schemes by demonstrating the various dynamic paths of the net benefits of such cooperative and sovereign schemes. The paper concludes by arguing that the traditional view of the criterion of mutual benefit is not valid in all cases.