A New Approach to Coalition Analysis Within the Graph Model

Within the framework of the graph model for conflict resolution, the concept of coalition improvement is generalized, resulting in new definitions of Nash, general metarational, symmetric metarational, and sequential stability applicable to coalitions. To illustrate how these generalized stability definitions can be applied to a real conflict, they are used to analyze an offshore oil exploration dispute that occurred in the South China Sea in 2014. The novel approach reveals which coalitions can upset a noncooperative equilibrium or support new cooperative equilibria, and which decision makers can benefit from joining a coalition.