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The dawn of modern theory of games

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Advances in Mathematical Economics

Part of the book series: Advances in Mathematical Economics ((MATHECON,volume 9))

Abstract

The modern theory of games initiated by John von Neumann with the minimax theorem in 1928 has now grown to be an indispensable analytical framework for social sciences, and economics in particular. In this paper, we shall review the early history of game theory from von Neumann to John F. Nash, the founder of the non-cooperative game theory, including Émile Borel, Hugo Steinhaus and Oskar Morgenstern, thereby pointing out a hint of why game theory has come to be widely applied in economics.

The author thanks Akira Yamazaki and Toru Maruyama for helpful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Keio University, 2-15-45 Mita, Tokyo, 108-8345

    Mikio Nakayama

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  1. Mikio Nakayama
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-0041, Japan

    Shigeo Kusuoka (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Department of Economics, Meisei University, Hino Tokyo, 191-8506, Japan

    Akira Yamazaki (Professor) (Professor)

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Nakayama, M. (2006). The dawn of modern theory of games. In: Kusuoka, S., Yamazaki, A. (eds) Advances in Mathematical Economics. Advances in Mathematical Economics, vol 9. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/4-431-34342-3_5

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