[euroderf]

> In practice the traditional prisoner’s dilemma usually plays out with everyone snitching on each other and everyone getting a deal because the prosecutor doesn’t want to waste time and money on a trial.

This seems unlikely. Any prosecutor running for re-election wants to score. At least one big fish.

[throwup238]

Over 95% of criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Trials are rare and unpredictable. The last thing prosecutors want is their career derailed by a fickle jury and the vast majority of crimes don’t involve a “big fish” worth the risk.

[euroderf]

This and other phenomena make it sound like the "justice" system is fertile ground game theory.

[throwup238]

Game theory is full of spherical cows like the assumption that the state has infinite resources to prosecute. Reality is a bit different.