Zero-Sum
Zero-sum refers to a “game” in which one player’s score advances at the expense of the opponent’s; at any one instant in time the sum of their scores thus equals zero. The term is used in economic theory, too, where it’s sometimes called a constant-sum, to indicate that the pie to be shared amongst the business transaction participants is constant and thus as one participant’s share increases, the others share decreases correspondingly.
Until about 50 years ago, all economists believed that economics was a zero-sum game. John Forbes Nash, in his doctoral thesis published in 1950, expounded the idea that economics was in fact based on a non-zero-sum game model. His work was considered radical at first, and was only recognized for his true contribution to today’s economic model in 1994 when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics.
The idea is perhaps more clearly expressed in the win-win philosophy: The idea that both parties involved in a deal can benefit equally. In Gossamar’s book, this is the only way to do business – anything less and the “loser” rapidly stops doing business with the “winner.” No-one wins!
Russel Crowe played the part of Nash in the 2001 movie, A Beautiful Mind.
