Thomas Schelling

Thomas C. Schelling (cropped)

Thomas Crombie Schelling (April 14, 1921 – December 13, 2016) was an American economist and professor of foreign policy, national security, nuclear strategy, and arms control at the University of Maryland, College Park. He was also co-faculty at the New England Complex Systems Institute. Schelling was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2005, which he shared with Robert Aumann for having enhanced the understanding of conflict and cooperation through game-theory analysis.

Early Life and Education

Thomas Schelling was born in Oakland, California. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1944. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University in 1951.

Career

Schelling began his career with the U.S. government and later joined the faculty at Yale University. He also worked at the RAND Corporation, a think tank that provides research and analysis to the United States Armed Forces. In 1958, he joined the faculty of Harvard University, where he remained until 1990. After leaving Harvard, he joined the University of Maryland, College Park.

Contributions to Economics

Schelling's most notable work is in the field of game theory, particularly in the context of nuclear strategy and arms control. His book, The Strategy of Conflict (1960), is considered one of the most influential works in the field of game theory. In this book, Schelling introduced concepts such as the focal point, which is now known as the Schelling point, and the idea of credible commitment.

The Strategy of Conflict

The Strategy of Conflict is a seminal work that applies game theory to the analysis of conflict and negotiation. Schelling's insights into the nature of strategic behavior have had a profound impact on the study of international relations and military strategy.

Micromotives and Macrobehavior

In his book Micromotives and Macrobehavior (1978), Schelling explored how individual behavior and choices can lead to unintended collective outcomes. This work is particularly noted for its analysis of segregation and tipping points in social systems.

Awards and Honors

In addition to the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Schelling received numerous other awards and honors throughout his career. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences.

Personal Life

Schelling was married to Corinne Tigay Saposs, with whom he had four children. He passed away on December 13, 2016, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Legacy

Thomas Schelling's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of economics, political science, and international relations. His contributions to game theory and his analysis of strategic behavior continue to influence scholars and policymakers around the world.

See Also

• Game theory
• Nuclear strategy
• Arms control
• Schelling point
• Micromotives and Macrobehavior
• The Strategy of Conflict