Drew Fudenberg

The work. The textbook, with Tirole, that taught two generations of economists game theory. Folk theorems for repeated games with Maskin, reputation effects with Levine, and the theory of learning in games that asks how players ever reach an equilibrium rather than assuming they are already there.

The case for. Tol's rotation model says game theory is due and lists Fudenberg fourth, sharing with Rubinstein, Dewatripont or Dixit. The field has not had a prize since 2020, and the Tirole prize in 2014 left his coauthor out.

The case against. The committee tends to reward game theory through its applications, and the applied names (auction design, matching, contracts) have all been paid. A prize for the textbook is a prize the committee has never given.

The KmikeyM angle. Fudenberg-Levine reputation: a long-lived player facing a stream of short-lived ones can profit from being predictable. Mike has been the long-lived player since 2008.