Cooperative game theory is a branch of game theory that analyzes multi-person decision problems where players can form binding agreements and coordinate their actions to achieve collective outcomes. It investigates the formation, structure, and stability of coalitions among rational agents, focusing on the collective surplus achievable through cooperation and methods for distributing the resulting gains among coalition members. Its key characteristics include the emphasis on the collective payoff of coalitions and its imputation, rather than the detailed strategic interactions of individual players, providing theoretical frameworks for understanding cooperative behavior and resource allocation across diverse fields.