Policy Forum 

# The Politics of *Game of Thrones*

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Date and Time 

August 28, 2017 6:30 - 7:30 PM EDT 

Location 

Hayek Auditorium, Cato Institute 

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##### Featuring 

Featuring **Ilya Somin** ([@IlyaSomin](http://www.twitter.com/IlyaSomin)) Adjunct Scholar, Cato Institute; **Matt Yglesias** ([@mattyglesias](http://www.twitter.com/mattyglesias)) Co-founder and Executive Editor, Vox; **Peter Suderman** ([@petersuderman](http://www.twitter.com/petersuderman)) Senior Editor, *Reason*; **Alyssa Rosenberg** ([@AlyssaRosenberg](http://www.twitter.com/AlyssaRosenberg)) Culture Columnist, *Washington Post* Opinions Section; moderated by **Caleb Watney** ([@calebwatney](http://www.twitter.com/calebwatney)), Tech Policy Analyst, R Street Institute. 

Why is Westeros mired in 8,000 years of economic stagnation? Should Daenerys firebomb King’s Landing to prevent a longer war? The world of *Game of Thrones* is teeming with fascinating interactions between institutions, incentives, and power that creates a sweeping geopolitical mega-saga just begging to be theorized. An examination of these issues through the lens of economics, law, international relations, and power politics promises to be both instructive and entertaining. The day after the Season 7 finale airs, join the Cato Institute and the R Street Institute in an exploration of the intrigue and game theory (and inevitable analogies to our current political landscape) that pervade the world of ice and fire.

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