We study the role of an imbalance in fighting strengths when players bargain in the shadow of conflict. Our … experimental results suggest: In a simple bargaining game with an exogenous mediation proposal, the likelihood of conflict is … independent of the balance of power. If bargaining involves endogenous demand choices, however, the likelihood of conflict is …

The category of conflict encompasses not only war but also crime, litigation, strikes and lockouts, and redistributive … politics. Exchange theory and conflict theory constitute two coequal branches of economic analysis, the first based upon … conflict are reviewed. Preferences, opportunities, and perceptions are shown to determine the choice between conflict and …

on the table, but there is no conflict regardless of the degree of power asymmetry. Indeed, there is no delay in reaching … an agreement that incorporates the (unrealized) costs of delay and conflict. A laboratory experiment has been used to … investigate the effects of power asymmetries on conflict rates in a two-stage bargaining game that is (if necessary) followed by …