Though not close to being the same type of situation, similar thought processes can be applied to game theory. Off the top of my head, similar styles of thinking are involved in the "
Prisoner's dilemma"
I guess that's sort of "real world"
I just find it funny how many people think that this happens on purpose. Half the time "scorched Earth" happens is when an unexpected team ranks high and doesn't really know what to do so they pick down the rankings.