Metagame analysis of the Garrison conflict [Water resources conflicts, damage, Canada, United States]

Metagame analysis is a type of game theory which can be employed for assessing the political feasibility of large‐scale water resources projects. The Garrison Diversion Unit, a planned irrigation scheme in North Dakota has caused a complex international controversy which is analyzed by using metagame analysis. Based upon the options available to the participants in the conflict and also the preferences of the participants, metagame analysis is used to predict possible feasible political solutions to the Garrison conflict. In addition, metagame analysis provides a framework for systematically studying the Garrison dispute so that the political complexities of the problem can be understood and put into proper perspective.