Suppose only part of the population belongs to the cult in which "cross my heart" is (or is believed to be) absolutely binding. If everyone knows (and is known to know) everyone else's affiliation, those belonging to this particular cult have the advantage. They can commit themselves, the others cannot. If the buyer says "$16,000, cross my heart" his offer is final; if the seller says "$19,000" he is (and is known to be) only "bargaining."

XREF: Connects to Schelling's work on commitment devices and signaling theory (e.g., Thomas Schelling, Michael Spence's signaling models). DEFINE: Illustrates how asymmetric commitment capacity functions as a strategic advantage, clarifying the mechanism of credible commitment.

Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, loc. 72