Evolutionary Agents and Dynamic Analysis of Accident Law
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Authors
Seagren, Chad W.
Subjects
law and economics
accident law
agent-based modeling
evolutionary economics
accident law
agent-based modeling
evolutionary economics
Advisors
Date of Issue
2014-04-15
Date
April 15, 2014
Publisher
Language
Abstract
We employ an agent-based computational model to gain insights regarding relationships in
accident law that are often overlooked in neoclassical theorizing. We consider the situation faced
by the inhabitants of Eggtopia, a fictitious society whose members search for and collect
precious eggs. In the course of their productive efforts they occasionally experience destructive
accidents with other individuals. The inhabitants face trade-offs in that engaging in behavior that
increases their productivity may also increase the possibility of an accident. We demonstrate how
the agent-based model developed in this paper can be used to answer the questions commonly
addressed in the mainstream literature, while also opening up new avenues of investigation.
While certain outcomes are consistent with neoclassical theory, we find that agents may elect to
be careful even when the neoclassical theory predicts otherwise, and particular negligence rules
tend to differ significantly in their ability to rid society of negligent behavior.
Type
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
37 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.