Perhaps not standard. But another possible explanation of why wars are fought is that any specific war might be a sub-optimal move, but that making a plausible pre-commitment to a war as a general policy is a good disincentive for other people to avoid conflicts with you. You asked for some territory from me, we could negotiate a mutually acceptable compromise, but then maybe all those other jerks also start asking me for land. Maybe I value that disincentive highly.
Another factor is that all the farmers and mooks who will loose limbs and lives are not invited to the decision-making table. This maybe moves the goalposts, as we don’t do game-theory for the countries, but for their leaders/negotiators. eg. “This war will make me a national hero. Plus this is good for our country as it exists as a concept, in that it gets physically bigger and more complete. My own place in history and the integrity of my country’s identity are each worth roughly one of my own limbs to me. Fortunately I will only have to pay with other people’s, so by my utility function this war is a steal!”
Perhaps not standard. But another possible explanation of why wars are fought is that any specific war might be a sub-optimal move, but that making a plausible pre-commitment to a war as a general policy is a good disincentive for other people to avoid conflicts with you. You asked for some territory from me, we could negotiate a mutually acceptable compromise, but then maybe all those other jerks also start asking me for land. Maybe I value that disincentive highly.
Another factor is that all the farmers and mooks who will loose limbs and lives are not invited to the decision-making table. This maybe moves the goalposts, as we don’t do game-theory for the countries, but for their leaders/negotiators. eg. “This war will make me a national hero. Plus this is good for our country as it exists as a concept, in that it gets physically bigger and more complete. My own place in history and the integrity of my country’s identity are each worth roughly one of my own limbs to me. Fortunately I will only have to pay with other people’s, so by my utility function this war is a steal!”