The Importance of Common Knowledge in Post-War Reconstruction

Abstract

"This paper applies a game theoretic argument to the situation of postwar reconstruction. It is argued that widespread coordination characterizes successful postwar efforts. Critical to this outcome is common knowledge among citizens, which allows them to coordinate their activities on conjectures that align with the aims of reconstruction. Here, the nature of common knowledge in the postwar context and its importance in coordinating citizens on reconstruction efforts is analyzed. Historical evidence from German and Japanese cinema and media, effective mechanisms for transmitting common knowledge, serve to illuminate and support these claims. The main conclusion is that common knowledge generation is key to achieving a successful outcome in the postwar situation."