Shaping the Truth: History Distortion Post-Conflict

Abstract How should information be transmitted to the next generation in the aftermath of a conflict? We propose a dynamic model where two groups engage in an infinite sequence of conflict games with evolving costs, observed only when there are conflicts. Without communication, conflict persists endlessly. Optimal communication by informed leaders generates peace cycles and balances the important trade-off between how likely peace will be versus how long it will last. This balance depends crucially on the baseline environment’s stability. In highly unstable environments, optimal communication mimics static Bayesian persuasion games. Conversely, in stable environments, optimal communication implies only slight distortions in conveying history.

Keywords: intergenerational communication; conflicts; dynamic information design

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