New Discourses New Discourses Bullets 138 - What Werewolves Can Teach Us About Political Warfare
Jan 12, 2026
Discover how the game 'Mafia' illustrates the power of small, coordinated groups over a larger, unaware population. The dynamics of this game reveal strategic advantages held by informed minorities, showing how they can manipulate discussions and deceive opponents. Explore roles like werewolves, villagers, and special mechanics that highlight the importance of information asymmetry. This intriguing connection between the game and political warfare teaches us to spot coordinated efforts in real life and recognize the tells that expose hidden agendas.
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Mafia/Werewolves Game Origin
- James A. Lindsay describes the party game Mafia/Werewolves invented by a Russian student to demonstrate asymmetric advantage.
- The game's origin illustrates how a few informed players can dominate many uninformed ones.
Small Informational Advantage Is Gigantic
- A tiny group with asymmetric information can control outcomes against a much larger naive majority.
- This structural advantage mirrors asymmetric political warfare more than raw numbers do.
Knowledge Beats Coordination
- Werewolves only know who each other are and pick victims at night, yet still win often.
- That small information differential plus a structural kill-rate advantage compounds strategic power.