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Card player, political scientist, and fan favorite Matt Glassman returns to the show to discuss the assault on the US Capitol Building and the game theory of political violence: what drives it, why does it happen, and how do we create incentives that discourage it?
Timestamps
0:30 Hello and Welcome
5:04 Strategy
28:14 Matt Glassman
Strategy
1/3, max buy in is 1k, no rake (time charge). Most common quote from dealers is “6 players to the flop.” Most playing cannot spell vpip; if they could, they would recognize theirs around 66%.
V1 is the nittiestnitnit at the table by far. Indeed, perhaps the *only* nit at the table. VPIP well under 15%.
V2 is meaningless reg.
V1 has just under $700, we cover.
V1 raises to $25 from co over a $6 straddle. We call OTB with 77, 1 other caller.
5h7h8d ($85). x / 60 / we call / V2 folds.
5h7h8dQh ($205). 90 / we call.
5h7h8dQh5c ($385). 150 / we shove
MATT GLASSMAN
Matt Glassman is an avid card player and a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Government Affairs Institute adept at explaining politics through the lenses of game theory and card strategy.
“that’s not something you usually account for when you’re thinking about politics as a set of incentives in a structured game the way you think about monopoly. If you’re playing a board game… you don’t really consider whether your opponent’s going to punch you in the face.”
Dude, did you ever play monopoly as a kid? Like 75% of the Monopoly games I ever played before the age of 25 ended this way.
On a more serious note, if you are thinking about politics as a game with a set of rules, you should ABSOLUTELY consider the possibility of violence as part of the structure of incentives in the system. From the violence against Native American tribes (usually illegal! against the rules! but then used as an excuse to punish/remove the tribe), violence against slaves, violence against union organizations (pullman strike, haymarket riots, etc), violence against black communities and interracial communities (the bombing of Tulsa, the coup of Wilmington NC, Selma), violence against LGBTQ (Stonewall), and of course, the political assassination of prominent leaders (MLK, Harvy Milk, Sitting Bull, etc….). Matt, hopefully this is a great opportunity for learning. People of color and labor leaders have always understood that political violence IS a part of the rules of the American system, and they’ve taken actions anyway. The fact that you react this way is really an aspect of your privilege – your definition of “the rules” specifically excludes violence, and violence falls into some other category. But the United States has never been this way. Add this to your understanding of politics and I think your perception of our political system will become more accurate.
The threat of someone punching you in the nose, either explicit or implicit, has always been part of the rules of American politics.
I think you misunderstood my point here.
I absolutely agree that political violence is part of the larger game. Kings have to consider the possibility of peasant revolts. Would-be revolters have to consider the possibility of death at the hands of the state. And that’s still true now. Political action is never super far from violence, even in the United States. As you point out, it has happened over and over again in American history. No disagreement there.
I was, in my comments, talking specifically about the incentive structure of elected officials. Very few elected officials ever consider the possibility of them or their families being physically harmed based on the way they vote in Congress. That was not true in the past few months; a number of GOP representatives indicated they were worried about physical violence as a response to their participation *within Congress.* Now, THAT is unusual, and something we don’t always account for.
So I don’t really think we disagree. I was just speaking within the scope of the legislature, not about public sphere politics.
Also, those are some rough board games you played! I think I’ve probably played Monopoly 1000+ times and never seen a physical altercation. LOL.
Thanks for writing
Matt
Matt,
I have been meaning to reach out to you since I listened to this podcast. I live in upstate NY and it’s currently “illegal” for online regulated poker in my state. If I wanted to *attempt* to lobby (for a lack of better word) for the legalization of this, where would you suggest I start?
Any advice or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony