M2 · mcts-m2.m2-est-greedy-marginal

Estonia, greedy, 20 years

50 simulations of 20 rounds from the 2026 position. Estonia decides by the greedy method; the shock and upside library, drawn at random each round.

Model 0.1.0 · graph 0.2.0 · parameters 0.1.0 · seeds 1–50 · elasticity sampled within each bracket

Every simulation · Compare with another experiment · More experiments like this

Not a forecast
Simulations of a structural model with seed parameter values, to compare methods and test the model. Other nations stay at their 2026 ratings throughout.

Outcome across simulations

The median at 2046, with the 10th to the 90th percentile of the 50 simulations under it.

Capability index
12.81 (+1.33)
From 11.49; 11.47 to 13.82
Rank by index
23
From 33; 19 to 33
Domains at Tier 1
1
From 0; 0 to 2
Tier rank
17
From 27; 10 to 22

Capability index by round

Rank by index, by round

Every objective at the position and at the horizon
Objective202610th percentileMedian90th percentileBetter
Capability indexprimary11.4911.4712.8113.82higher
Rank by index33192333lower
Tier rank27101722lower
Domains at Tier 10012higher
Score sum817.9822.1921.5991.8higher
Goal-weighted score817.9822.1921.5991.8higher
Resilient score817.9908.6 (mean score sum over the simulations)higher

The capability index is the mean of the three dimensions, each the mean of its domains, each the mean of its groups. Tiers are Pareto layers within each domain; the tier rank orders nations by domains held at Tier 1, then Tier 2, and so on. The goal-weighted score is the score sum unless the experiment sets a goal. The primary objective is the one the experiment is judged on; every other objective is reported beside it.

Credits

What each round’s credits went on in the median simulation. Across all simulations, build took 9 per cent, buy took 58 per cent, partner took 33 per cent of the 1,848 credits a simulation spent on actions.

Report

Written from the simulation record by the loop's narrator. Every figure names the query it came from, in square brackets.

Batch mcts-m2. Model 0.1.0, graph 0.2.0, parameters 0.1.0. 50 simulations, seeds 1 to 50; probes on 5. Every figure is a distribution over simulations of a structural model with seed parameter values; it shows what the model implies under these settings, not what will happen. Other nations are frozen at their 2026 ratings. No reconstructed historical data is used in this experiment.

Headline

Estonia played 20 rounds from 2026 under the greedy method, with stochastic events, 50 times. Its capability index moved from 11.49 to a median of 12.82 (+1.33), with 90 per cent of simulations between 10.92 and 13.88 [experiment_objectives].

Starting position

In 2026 the nation ranks 33 on the index against the frozen field, holds 0 of nine domains at Tier 1 and has a tier rank of 27. Its base income is 347 credits a year, calibrated so that its 2026 position is affordable with headroom for investment.

What was decided

A simulation spent a median of 1,869 credits on actions. The five groups that took most were Semiconductors & Advanced Computing (buy, 166 credits, 9.0 per cent); Space Technologies (partner, 141 credits, 7.7 per cent); Economic Output & Productivity (buy, 129 credits, 7.0 per cent); Energy Technologies (buy, 91 credits, 4.9 per cent); Development Cooperation & Global Assistance (buy, 87 credits, 4.7 per cent) [experiment_decisions_by_group]. By mode: buy 58 per cent, partner 33 per cent, build 9 per cent [experiment_decisions_by_group]. Concentration of spending (HHI) had a median of 0.044, and the most repeated action appeared in 45 per cent of rounds.

The leading domain by period: rounds 1 to 5, Critical Technology; rounds 6 to 10, Critical Technology; rounds 11 to 15, Critical Technology; rounds 16 to 20, Critical Technology [experiment_spend_by_period].

The method's chosen action was within 5 per cent of its best alternative in 96 per cent of actions and ahead by more than 25 per cent in 0 per cent [experiment_decision_margins].

What the world did

A median simulation saw 3 shocks and 1 upside events. The most damaging per firing were S09 (5 firings in 5 simulations, −39.2 points each); S03 (19 firings in 18 simulations, −39.1 points each); S04 (29 firings in 23 simulations, −37.3 points each) [experiment_shocks]. Upside events fired 44 times across all simulations [experiment_shocks].

The groups that lost most to shocks, per simulation: Information Environment & Strategic Communication −1.87; Energy Infrastructure −1.71; Maritime Power −1.67; Trade Facilitation & Logistics −1.65 [experiment_shock_damage_by_group].

The edges that carried most change through the graph, per simulation: Semiconductors & Advanced Computing to Artificial Intelligence (+3.48 points); Space Technologies to Space Operations (+1.64 points); Semiconductors & Advanced Computing to Economic Leverage & Dependence (+1.34 points) [experiment_propagation_by_edge].

Where it ended

At 2046 the median rank is 23 (5th to 95th percentile 19 to 37), the median count of Tier 1 domains 1 (0 to 2) and the median tier rank 17; the resilient score, the mean score sum over simulations, is 909 [experiment_objectives].

Tier 1 probability changed most in: human capital (0 to 86 per cent of simulations) [experiment_tiers_by_round].

Why

Without shocks the index ends +1.021 higher on average, so the shocks cost about 1.021 index points [experiment_probe_attribution].

Holding instead of following this method changes the index by −2.372: that is the method's worth against doing nothing [experiment_probe_attribution].

Removing any single one of the five largest actions changes the index by between −0.020 and −0.017, for example 2039 partner Trade Facilitation & Logistics (20 credits) [experiment_probe_attribution]. The largest actions by credits come late, when income is highest, and are rarely the most valuable.

Removing the largest shock of a simulation raises the index by +0.579 on average [experiment_probe_attribution].

The replay probe reproduces the simulations exactly (index change 0.000000), so the attributions are clean [experiment_probe_attribution].

Surprises

The simulation furthest from the median (seed 33) ends −2.80 from it, with 8 shocks and 0 upside events [experiment_outlier_simulations].

Comparison

This is the baseline (hold) experiment, or there is none for this nation in the batch.

No backcast comparison: this experiment does not start from a historical position [experiment_against_history].

What each decision and shock was worth

Counterfactual probes on the first 5 seeds: the same simulations with one thing changed, paired seed by seed. A removed decision or shock is taken out and the other decisions replayed unchanged, so the difference is that item's worth.

ProbeIndexScore sumTier 1For example
Hold instead of the method−2.372−175.3−1.00
No shocks+1.020+74.6+1.20
Replay of the recorded actions (must change nothing)0.0000.00.00
Without the 1st largest decision−0.020−1.30.002039 partner Trade Facilitation & Logistics (20 credits)
Without the 2nd largest decision−0.017−1.40.002039 partner Export Capability & Sophistication (20 credits)
Without the 3rd largest decision−0.018−1.50.002039 partner Global Value Chain Position (20 credits)
Without the 4th largest decision−0.020−1.40.002039 buy Space, Aerospace & Defence Infrastructure (20 credits)
Without the 5th largest decision−0.018−1.50.002039 partner Economic Leverage & Dependence (20 credits)
Without the 1st largest shock+0.579+42.3+0.602039 S03 (-53.3 points)
Without the 2nd largest shock+0.447+32.0+0.252038 S03 (-35.1 points)
Without the 3rd largest shock+0.309+22.70.002033 S04 (-26.4 points)

Simulations

Three simulations told round by round, each on its own page: the one nearest the median index at the horizon, and those nearest the 10th and the 90th percentile. Every one of the 50 is listed with its outcome on the simulations page.

All 50 simulations

Events

How often each shock and upside event began across the simulations. Shocks come from the ten downside scenarios and upside events from the ten upside ones, at their yearly likelihood.

Event
Kind
Simulations
Mean round
Points
Hybrid coercion S04Shock46 per cent9.7−37.3
AI labour shock S08Shock38 per cent10.2−28.4
Regional war spillover S03Shock36 per cent10.6−39.1
Breadbasket failure S06Shock28 per cent9.9−18.6
Global funding seizure S02Shock28 per cent9.6−22.9
Trade bloc rupture S01Shock20 per cent7.8−26.9
Market access opening S12Upside20 per cent10.2+11.6
Automated discovery step S17Upside18 per cent16.1+24.6
Water-efficient food leap S16Upside16 per cent11.2+4.3
Legitimacy rupture S05Shock12 per cent9.8−17.2
Cryptographic trust break S09Shock10 per cent8.4−39.2
Chronic disease advance S19Upside10 per cent10.2+13.9
Core disaster S07Shock8 per cent10.8−15.8
Clean power threshold S15Upside8 per cent9.5+11.5
Middle East settlement S14Upside6 per cent5.0+7.3
Severe pandemic S10Shock4 per cent12.0−34.7
Public service leap S18Upside2 per cent15.0+6.3
Debt service reset S11Upside2 per cent4.0+2.4
Outbreak defence succeeds S20Upside2 per cent3.0+26.1

Groups across simulations

Every capability group: its position, and its median and spread at the horizon across the simulations, with what the method spent on it.

73 of 73 groups

Capability group
Domain
2026
2046
Change
Levels invested
Credits
Semiconductors & Advanced ComputingCritical Technology2.5013.21 12.07 to 14.44+10.7111.92166
Space TechnologiesCritical Technology2.6711.68 10.25 to 12.86+9.019.58141
Artificial IntelligenceCritical Technology8.3316.30 14.98 to 17.25+7.975.4264
Energy TechnologiesCritical Technology4.8011.84 10.17 to 13.02+7.047.9292
Development Cooperation & Global AssistanceInformation & Influence7.5014.43 12.72 to 15.42+6.937.6587
Sensing, Timing & NavigationCritical Technology4.6011.45 9.69 to 12.24+6.856.4373
Technical & Vocational SkillsHuman Capital13.0019.38 18.73 to 19.92+6.386.5271
Advanced Materials & ManufacturingCritical Technology5.1411.42 9.91 to 12.37+6.287.0781
Economic Output & ProductivityProduction & Innovation10.0015.83 14.39 to 17.14+5.836.94129
Space, Aerospace & Defence InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure5.6710.12 8.82 to 11.38+4.454.8776
Alliances & Security CooperationInformation & Influence13.5017.94 16.60 to 18.50+4.445.2758
Trade Policy & Market AccessTrade & Investment13.5017.93 16.72 to 18.60+4.434.9956
Diplomatic Statecraft & Global NetworksInformation & Influence10.0014.31 12.71 to 15.75+4.315.1171
Connectivity, Cyber & Trust TechnologiesCritical Technology10.8015.04 13.67 to 16.02+4.245.1663
Biotechnology & Health TechnologiesCritical Technology7.4011.29 10.05 to 12.42+3.894.6857
Investment Attraction & ProjectionTrade & Investment11.3315.00 13.37 to 16.02+3.674.6660
Culture, Language & Education DiplomacyInformation & Influence8.4012.02 10.44 to 13.20+3.624.5055
Lifelong Learning & ReskillingHuman Capital14.3317.51 16.46 to 18.48+3.183.4540
Export Capability & SophisticationTrade & Investment11.6714.57 12.90 to 16.20+2.904.2154
Robotics & Autonomous SystemsCritical Technology8.2511.05 9.80 to 12.03+2.802.8736
Technology Adoption & DiffusionProduction & Innovation14.5016.74 15.50 to 17.89+2.242.9238
Economic Leverage & DependenceTrade & Investment11.6713.60 11.91 to 15.10+1.931.9124
Space OperationsNational Security4.005.90 3.73 to 7.34+1.900.7310
Advanced EducationHuman Capital14.3315.91 13.89 to 17.81+1.581.8933
Trade Facilitation & LogisticsTrade & Investment13.0014.53 12.86 to 16.05+1.533.0841
Research Talent & Knowledge CreationHuman Capital12.6714.17 12.78 to 15.32+1.501.5029
Digital & AI CompetenceHuman Capital16.5017.95 15.34 to 19.17+1.451.3920
Global Value Chain PositionTrade & Investment13.0014.36 12.81 to 15.44+1.362.2730
Air PowerNational Security4.505.62 3.49 to 6.90+1.121.3718
Sovereign Capital & External Financial PowerFinancial Strength9.8010.88 9.70 to 11.71+1.081.6922
Strategic Strike & Missile DefenceNational Security6.006.66 4.30 to 8.00+0.660.000
Nuclear DeterrenceNational Security0.000.01 0.00 to 0.30+0.010.000
Energy InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure8.888.84 7.14 to 10.11−0.040.9315
Advanced ManufacturingStrategic Infrastructure10.009.93 8.52 to 10.95−0.070.000
Fiscal Capacity & Public FinanceFinancial Strength14.7514.64 12.64 to 16.06−0.110.102
Maritime PowerNational Security6.005.87 3.66 to 6.58−0.130.759
Population HealthHuman Capital13.6713.51 12.69 to 14.00−0.160.000
Information Environment & Strategic CommunicationInformation & Influence12.0011.84 10.42 to 13.52−0.161.3718
Health System CapabilityHuman Capital14.0013.80 12.88 to 14.49−0.200.000
Labour & EmploymentProduction & Innovation13.7513.51 11.65 to 14.65−0.240.000
Foundational EducationHuman Capital16.5016.24 15.52 to 16.72−0.260.000
Early Childhood DevelopmentHuman Capital16.0015.72 14.83 to 16.24−0.280.000
Innovation & CommercialisationProduction & Innovation12.5012.07 10.80 to 13.12−0.430.000
Transparency, Oversight & AccountabilityGovernance & Integrity16.3315.89 15.08 to 16.46−0.440.000
Justice System & Fundamental RightsGovernance & Integrity15.2514.81 13.96 to 15.38−0.440.000
Regulatory Governance & Strategic ControlsGovernance & Integrity14.3313.89 12.81 to 14.66−0.440.000
Public Integrity & Anti-CorruptionGovernance & Integrity15.5015.02 14.10 to 15.63−0.480.000
Political Institutions & Civic ParticipationGovernance & Integrity16.0015.50 14.46 to 16.13−0.500.000
Land PowerNational Security9.258.71 7.35 to 9.64−0.540.000
Intelligence & AssessmentNational Security11.6711.11 9.19 to 12.34−0.560.000
Structural Transformation & ComplexityProduction & Innovation12.6711.99 10.81 to 12.96−0.680.000
Force Generation & MobilisationNational Security13.3312.64 11.24 to 13.41−0.690.000
Financial Stability & Crisis ManagementFinancial Strength13.6712.98 11.12 to 13.74−0.690.000
Internal Security & OrderGovernance & Integrity14.6713.97 12.85 to 14.78−0.700.000
Financial Regulation & IntegrityFinancial Strength14.2513.55 11.95 to 14.32−0.700.000
Quantum TechnologiesCritical Technology5.504.80 3.66 to 5.72−0.700.000
Resource InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure6.756.05 4.46 to 7.64−0.700.274
Joint Command, Projection & SustainmentNational Security8.677.97 6.21 to 9.07−0.700.000
Financial System Depth & AccessFinancial Strength12.0011.28 9.59 to 12.12−0.720.000
Cyber & Electromagnetic OperationsNational Security12.0011.25 9.39 to 12.57−0.750.000
Social InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure13.9113.14 11.77 to 14.17−0.770.000
Government Effectiveness & Public AdministrationGovernance & Integrity17.4016.63 14.92 to 17.65−0.770.000
Agriculture & Food InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure11.5010.72 9.15 to 11.77−0.780.000
Water, Sanitation & Waste InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure11.8011.01 9.38 to 11.99−0.790.000
National Resilience & Crisis ManagementGovernance & Integrity14.2013.40 12.17 to 14.37−0.800.000
Financial InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure13.2512.43 11.01 to 13.27−0.820.000
Business Dynamism & EntrepreneurshipProduction & Innovation14.7513.93 12.70 to 14.84−0.820.000
Communications & Digital InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure14.8614.03 12.66 to 15.34−0.830.092
Digital & Services TradeTrade & Investment14.0013.16 11.85 to 14.40−0.840.415
Transport InfrastructureStrategic Infrastructure12.0011.13 9.32 to 12.26−0.870.000
Industrial & Sectoral BaseProduction & Innovation11.5010.60 9.21 to 11.81−0.900.071
Monetary & Currency CapabilityFinancial Strength14.0013.06 11.09 to 14.12−0.940.000
Diaspora & Global CommunitiesInformation & Influence11.5010.52 9.32 to 11.57−0.980.000

Checks

The automated checks run on this experiment before anything was written about it. A warning is a candidate finding for the improvement loop.

  • passcredits_conservedlargest gap between credits in and credits accounted for: 1.1e-13
  • passscores_in_boundsscores range 0.000 to 20.000
  • passno_nans0 missing values in the trajectory and objectives
  • passprobe_replay_reproducesthe recorded actions played back reproduce the simulation to within 0.0e+00 points (5 simulations)
  • passledger_balancesthe edge ledger sums to the propagated change to within 9.9e-07 points
  • passmove_without_shocklargest one-round change in a group with no shock landing: 2.12 points; 0% of simulations have one above 3
  • passtier_jumplargest gain in one domain within five years: 4 tiers (36 simulations above 2); tiers are reported, not an objective
  • passall_tier1_from_outside_top10starting rank 33; 0 simulations reach Tier 1 in all nine domains
  • passsaturation_high8% of simulations end with a group at 20 that did not start there (median 0 groups)
  • passsaturation_low0% of simulations end with a group at 0 that did not start there (median 0 groups)
  • passspend_concentrationmedian concentration of spending across groups (HHI) 0.044; most funded group hard.critical_technology.semiconductors_and_advanced_computing
  • passsame_actionthe most repeated action (group and mode) appears in a median 45% of rounds

Settings and versions

Experiment mcts-m2.m2-est-greedy-marginal. Every simulation records the model, graph and parameter versions, the scenario, the method and its seed, so it can be reproduced exactly.

Nation
Estonia (EST)
Position
The 2026 ratings of the National Capability Index
Method
Greedy. Each round, the actions with the most value per credit: a level's own worth plus its long-run effect downstream through the graph, less the maintenance it will need, counting only what arrives before the horizon.
Scenario
The shock and upside library, drawn at random each round
Objective
Capability index, the primary objective the experiment is judged on; every other objective is reported beside it
Horizon
20 rounds, 2026 to 2046
Simulations
50 seeds, 1 to 50. Every method in the batch faces the same draws for the same seed.
Graph elasticities
Drawn for each simulation, uniformly within each edge’s bracket
Income
Base credits 346.9 a round, moving with the economic groups
Versions
Model 0.1.0, Capability Dependency Graph 0.2.0, parameters 0.1.0
Batch
MCTS M2, versus greedy (mcts-m2)
Runtime
2.2 seconds in all; 888 microseconds a round
Not a forecast
Every figure is a distribution over the simulations of a structural model, reported to compare methods and test the model. None is a prediction of what a nation will do or become.
Structural parameters
Costs, decay, vulnerability and credits are structural seed values with low or medium confidence, set by domain with single-group exceptions. Five groups have no defensible value in a single-nation model and are flagged in the parameter tables.
Other nations are frozen
One nation is simulated at a time. Every other nation stays at its 2026 rating, so rank and tiers are measured against a still field; where the simulated nation rises past others their own tiers are not re-sorted.
Starting depth and mode are defaults
The position is the National Capability Index ratings. How institutionalised each capability is, and how much was built, bought or partnered, have no data behind them yet and start from structural defaults.
Credits are calibrated, not measured
Each nation’s income is set so that its position is affordable with headroom that rises with its fiscal capacity. It is not yet fiscal capacity as a share of GDP.