Stability Index of Interaction forms

An interaction form is an abstract model of interaction based on a description of power distribution among agents over alternatives. A solution known as the settlement set is defined at any preference profile. Necessary and sufficient conditions for stability, that is the existence of settlements, are established. A Stability Index that plays a role similar to that of the Nakamura Number is defined. It measures, loosely speaking, the complexity of those configurations that prevent a settlement. To any strategic game form one can associate an interaction form in such a way that given an equilibrium concept (e.g. Nash or strong Nash) and a preference profile, settlements of the interaction form are precisely the equilibrium outcomes of the resulting game. As a consequence we have necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of game forms. The paper provides a localization of the index in case of unstability.