What can a sustained political simulation teach students about alliances, bargaining, and international-relations theory?
Beyond the abstract: the argument, study design, evidence, and limits of inference.
A one-session role-play can illustrate bargaining, but repeated interaction allows states and actors to acquire histories. Alliances, promises, betrayals, resource constraints, and earlier decisions affect later choices. The Game of Thrones setting provides a recognizable political world for making concepts such as deterrence and diplomacy consequential.
The published article describes a continuing course simulation with political roles, decisions, instructor-facilitated events, communication channels, and reflection. Students do not study fiction instead of international-relations theory; they use theories to interpret and defend choices made in a structured political setting.
The article presents a teaching framework and discusses an experimental design that could test its effectiveness. It does not report a completed randomized trial proving a numerical improvement in student comprehension. Its contribution is an adaptable design for extended political simulation and active learning.
Research basis: Young, Carranza Ko and Perrin, Journal of Political Science Education 14(3), 360–375 (2018).
The article reports on a particular pedagogical setting; instructors considering adaptation should consult the publication for implementation and assessment details.
Published · 2018 · Laura D. Young, Ñusta Carranza Ko, and Michael Perrin · Journal of Political Science Education 14(3): 360–375.