The theologian James P. Carse wrote that there are two kinds of games in life: finite and infinite. This is actually an important and often overlooked facet of game theory.
A finite game is played to win; there are clear victors and losers. An infinite game is played to keep playing; the goal is to maximize winning across all participants.
Debate is a finite game. Marriage is an infinite game.
The midterm elections are finite games. American democracy is an infinite game.
A great deal of unnecessary suffering in the world comes from not knowing the difference. A bad fight can destroy a marriage. A challenged election can destabilize a democracy.
We must learn to think in systems, or the systems will do our thinking for us.