The effectiveness of pre-play communication in achieving efficient outcomes
has long been a subject of controversy. Aumann conjectures that, in a vari
ant of the Stag Hunt game, "an agreement to play [the efficient outcome] co
nveys no information about what the players will do" and thus should not af
fect behavior. Farrell and Rabin suspect that cheap talk will achieve effic
iency. Results show impressive coordination when the sender first chooses a
signal and then an action. Without communication, efforts to achieve effic
iency are largely unsuccessful. As Farrell suggests, reversing the order of
the action and signal appears to change players' behavior. Journal of Econ
omic Literature Classification Numbers: A13, C72, C91, D82, D84. (C) 2000 A
cademic Press.