Using Hypergames to Model Difficult Social Issues: An Approach to the Case of Soccer Hooliganism

Abstract

In this paper, Hypergame Analysis is used to produce predictive models of the social conflict of "soccer hooliganism". The purpose of this form of analysis is to help model interactions in which the parties involved may have quite different perceptions of the "game" being played. Soccer hooliganism is considered in terms of an interaction between two main parties-the "hooligan fans" and the "authorities". Recent empirical studies are used to help build up representations of some possible "games" that may be seen by each side. From the resulting hypergames, predictions are derived as to the likely outcome under various circumstances. Also considered are possible effects of taking the interaction through several "rounds". Finally, some practical conclusions are drawn, both about the problem of how best to respond to soccer hooliganism, and about the methodological question of how to approach the analysis of such social conflicts in a systematic way.