Game theory a form of applied mathematics used to model and predict people"s behavior in strategic situations where people"s choices are predicted on predicting the behavior of others. Institutions rules/ norms governing collective action, especially referring to rules governing common-property environmental resources, like rivers, oceans, or the atmosphere. Prisoner"s dilemma an allegorical description of a game-theoretical situation in which multiple individuals making decisions in pursuit of their own interests tend to create collective outcomes that are non-optimal for everyone. Social darwinism theory to explain social phenomena; as individuals are viewed as naturally and inherently competitive and selfish beings, social darwinism typically rationalizes war, poverty, and hierarchically stratified social systems. Why are global emissions so hard to control: one argument is that carbon does not stay put. With every activity (ie. driving a car, burning a log, etc. ) carbon is released and enters the atmosphere.