Malcolm Rivera
Computer simulations have been used in a variety of fields, including diplomacy, to facilitate learning and decision-making. In the context of diplomacy, simulations often take the form of games or interactive scenarios that mimic real-world diplomatic challenges and negotiations. These simulations can be played in-person or virtually, and they offer participants a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of diplomats and navigate complex international relations. The use of computer simulations in diplomacy education has gained traction, with institutions such as the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) offering programs like Model Diplomacy to engage students in understanding foreign policy and global affairs. Additionally, museums like the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) have also employed virtual simulations to provide individuals with a taste of diplomatic problem-solving. The versatility of computer simulations allows for adaptations to different settings, such as the ancient world, the Renaissance, or modern-day global challenges. These simulations not only enhance knowledge but also foster critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills, making them valuable tools in the field of diplomacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To teach students about diplomacy and foreign policy |
| Target Audience | College and high school students |
| Format | Online or face-to-face |
| Time Commitment | 30-45 minutes per week for an 8-week course |
| Preparation Time for Instructors | Approximately 4 hours |
| Game Mechanics | Players secretly write down their moves after negotiating, then all moves are revealed and executed simultaneously |
| Game Objective | Be the first nation to own half of the supply centers |
| Variants | Machiavelli, Kamakura, Colonial Diplomacy, Hundred, Ard-Rí, Classical, Imperial, and more |
| Platforms | webDiplomacy, The Armchair Diplomat, GEnie, Zoom |
| Organizations Using Simulations | National Museum of American Diplomacy, Council on Foreign Relations, Public Leadership Education Network, WorldDenver, Gulf Coast Diplomacy |
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What You'll Learn
Simulations in diplomacy education
Simulations have been used in diplomacy education for many years, with the game 'Diplomacy' being played since at least the 1950s. The game has been published in the United States by Games Research, Avalon Hill, and Hasbro, and has also been licensed to various companies for publication in other countries. The game is a strategic, abstract simulation of combat, inspired by nineteenth-century European history and political geography. It has been adapted for play via email and the internet, with webDiplomacy being a popular implementation.
Diplomacy is a turn-based strategy game where players negotiate and write down their moves secretly, then reveal and put them into effect simultaneously. The game is designed so that no army or fleet is stronger than another, and social interaction and interpersonal skills are essential to play. Players can move their units around the board, fighting to claim other players' supply centres as their own. Each new supply centre occupied allows the player to build a new unit. The objective is to be the first nation to own half of the supply centres in the game.
In recent years, simulations have been used in educational contexts to teach students about diplomacy and foreign policy. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has launched Model Diplomacy, a free National Security Council simulation that teaches college and high school students about the challenges of shaping and implementing foreign policy. Model Diplomacy is designed to teach students critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, in addition to basic concepts of international relations. The simulation has been implemented in colleges and high schools across the United States, including Middlebury College, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and Arizona State University.
Model Diplomacy is user-friendly and can be adapted for both in-person and online learning environments. Instructors can pick a case, assign roles to students, and have them complete policy memos and other assignments based on the simulation. The simulation materials are high-quality and easily digestible, giving students enough guidance while still allowing for creativity. The CFR website provides resources and support for educators interested in using Model Diplomacy in their teaching.
In addition to Model Diplomacy, other simulations have been used in diplomacy education, such as the National Museum of American Diplomacy's (NMAD) Diplomacy Simulation Program, which has been offered virtually through Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. These simulations allow students to step into the shoes of diplomats, practice their skills, and find solutions to global policy issues.
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Computer-adjudicated simulations
One of the key advantages of computer-adjudicated simulations is their ability to process vast amounts of data and variables. These simulations can take into account a multitude of factors, from economic trends and demographic shifts to military capabilities and environmental changes. By inputting this data, policymakers can gain a more holistic understanding of potential outcomes and the ripple effects of their decisions. For example, a simulation might model the impact of an economic sanction on a particular country, taking into account not just the direct effects on the target country's economy, but also the potential political fallout, the impact on global supply chains, and the possible humanitarian consequences.
The use of computer simulations in diplomacy also allows for the safe testing of various strategies and tactics. By running simulations, policymakers can assess the potential effectiveness of different approaches without the real-world risks. This is especially valuable in high-stakes situations, where the consequences of missteps can be severe. For instance, a simulation might be used to model the potential outcomes of a diplomatic negotiation, helping diplomats refine their tactics and strategies before entering the negotiation room.
These simulations also provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the motivations, priorities, and potential actions of other nations or entities. By modeling the behaviors and decision-making processes of these actors, simulations can offer insights into their likely responses to certain events or policies. This, in turn, can help inform more effective and nuanced diplomatic strategies. Furthermore, computer-adjudicated simulations can be used as a training tool, helping to educate and prepare future diplomats and policymakers. By engaging with these simulations, individuals can gain a more practical understanding of the complexities of international relations and the potential consequences of diplomatic actions.
In conclusion, computer-adjudicated simulations offer a powerful tool for those involved in diplomacy and international relations. They provide a means to model and predict outcomes, test strategies, and gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play in world affairs. As such, these simulations are likely to play an increasingly important role in informing policy decisions and shaping diplomatic strategies in the future.
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Simulating historical events
The National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) launched its Historical Diplomacy Simulation Program in June 2021. The program offers educators resources to teach students about diplomacy and the work of U.S. diplomats in a historical context. NMAD's simulations are part of a broader initiative to reinvigorate history teaching in American schools, emphasising the importance of understanding complex processes and developing "historical empathy".
NMAD's Historical Diplomacy Simulations include:
- The Barbary Pirates Hostage Crisis: Negotiating Tribute and Trade. This simulation addresses the historical context of the Barbary States hiring ship captains to capture foreign vessels in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The United States, upon gaining independence in 1783, faced the capture of its ships by Barbary corsairs, leading to a commercial and humanitarian crisis.
- The Spanish and American Conflict of 1898: Treaties and Self-Determination. This simulation explores the complexities of the Spanish-Cuban conflict, including the sinking of the USS Maine battleship in Havana Harbor, which escalated tensions and led to a war between the United States and Spain.
- The Suez Canal Crisis: National Sovereignty versus International Access to Waterways.
In addition to NMAD's initiatives, other organisations have developed simulation programs to teach diplomacy. For example, Model Diplomacy offers simulations that can be adapted for both face-to-face and online classrooms. Students take on roles within the National Security Council and debate how to resolve a contemporary national security crisis.
The use of computer simulations to teach history and diplomacy has evolved since the 1950s, when simulations were time-consuming, costly, and often yielded ambiguous results. Today, simulations are more accessible and user-friendly, providing valuable tools for educators and students alike.
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Simulations in foreign policy
Simulations have been used in foreign policy to educate students on global affairs and international relations. The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has launched Model Diplomacy, a free National Security Council simulation that teaches college and high school students about the challenges of creating and implementing foreign policy. It combines independent research using multimedia resources with direct interaction between teachers and students. The simulation is designed to teach students critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, in addition to basic concepts of international relations. It has been implemented in various colleges and high schools across the country, including Middlebury College, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and Arizona State University.
Model Diplomacy offers a user-friendly system where instructors can sign up, choose a case, and invite students to register. Roles are then assigned to students, who are required to post policy memos on the Model Diplomacy website. The simulation can be adapted for both face-to-face and online learning environments. Instructors can also incorporate additional elements, such as assigning essays or including readings like the book "War and Peace."
Another example of simulations in foreign policy is the Diplomacy game, which has been published in the United States by companies like Games Research, Avalon Hill, and Hasbro. It is a turn-based strategy game that focuses on negotiation and interpersonal skills rather than luck or random elements. Players secretly write down their moves after negotiations, and then all moves are revealed and executed simultaneously. The game has various variants, including commercial releases like Machiavelli and Kamakura, as well as non-commercial versions with different maps and rules, such as the Youngstown variant.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) offered virtual diplomacy simulations in collaboration with the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN). Through Zoom, participants stepped into the roles of diplomats, practised their skills, and sought solutions. This shift to virtual simulations allowed for greater accessibility and engagement during a time when in-person interactions were limited.
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Simulations in museums
The National Museum of American Diplomacy (NMAD) in Washington, D.C. is dedicated to telling the story of the history, practice, and challenges of American diplomacy. The museum uses discussions, film screenings, and ceremonies to commemorate milestones in American diplomacy. The museum also offers educational programs and curricula to engage students and educators.
At the core of the museum's educational offerings is the diplomacy simulation program, an immersive exercise in which participants engage on a critical global issue. Working in small teams, participants step into the world of diplomacy by representing the interests of a specific stakeholder group. Under set time constraints, the groups are challenged to negotiate a solution to an international crisis. Using the information provided in the simulation materials, they develop, defend, and modify their group's policy positions in real-time. For example, in one historical scenario, students must overcome differing national interests to maintain global security and peace.
The Historical Diplomacy Simulation Program is a project with the Una Chapman Cox Foundation’s initiative on American Diplomacy and the Foreign Service. The program was developed in partnership with National History Day and George Mason University’s Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media. It offers three simulations:
- The Barbary Pirates Hostage Crisis: Negotiating Tribute and Trade
- The Spanish and American Conflict of 1898: Treaties and Self-Determination
- The Suez Canal Crisis: National Sovereignty versus International Access to Waterways
NMAD also produces virtual simulations with partners like the State Department’s Diplomats in Residence and facilitates programs with organizations like WorldDenver and Gulf Coast Diplomacy through Zoom. The museum makes its simulation training materials freely available online, including a teacher's guide, instructional videos, scenarios with background information, and short videos featuring topic experts.
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Frequently asked questions
Model Diplomacy is a National Security Council simulation that engages college and high school students to understand the challenges of shaping and implementing foreign policy. It is designed to teach students the basic concepts of international relations, critical thinking, effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Model Diplomacy is played through a combination of independent research using multimedia resources and direct interaction with teachers and peers. The simulation is designed to be completed in a face-to-face classroom but can also be adapted to an online environment.
The objective of Diplomacy is to be the first nation to own half of the supply centers in the game. Players can move their units around the board, fighting to claim other players' supply centers. Each military unit has the same strength, and combat resolution contains no random elements.
There are several variants of Diplomacy that have been created and played, some of which have been commercially published. These include settings such as ancient and renaissance worlds, new maps, and rules variations. Some notable variants include the Youngstown variant, which includes Asia and colonies, and the Fleet Rome variant, which replaces the starting Italian army in Rome with a fleet.
