Florian Kühn

RSC Simulation Game 2024.pdf

The theory of Regional Security Complexes, as introduced by Barry Buzan and Ole Waever (2003) (see mandatory reading) explains why geographical distance between politically interacting parties plays a significant role in how they perceive security.

The RSC simulation game which we will be playing applies this theoretical framework to a ficticious region in which entangled security issues drive the dynamics of security policy. Four countries, situated around a mountain range and facing several challenges, including fresh water availability, access to international trade routes, terrorism and states which predominantly follow regime security rather than population-centered security concerns, interact and discuss how to best organise security for themselves. As sovereign states, no external actor is there to structure how they do this, and each country will need to devise a security strategy marked by uncertainty (about the gravity of concerns and others' intentions).

Four groups (combined from student groups) will, in preparation of the game, discuss their security priorities and how to pursue them in the negotiations with their fellow regional interactants. You will need to assign negotiator roles and come up with a strategy you will follow in the simulation. It is essential that you are all very familar with the theory to understand and take into account your country's security concerns.

A detailed description of the simulation game and the security situation we will be simulating will presented here some time in advace.

We will combine two student groups to represent one country: Group 1 will represent Alphaland, Groups 2 will represent Betaria, Groups 3 will represent Gammaka and Groups 4 will represent Deltasia.

Participation in the simulation is mandatory but not graded.

The simulation game works as follows: The first hour (+/-) is for the groups to discuss your security priorities, and working out/finalizing a strategy, plus assigning roles in the negotiating group (some negotiators, focusing on different issues of importance for your country, back-channel diplomacy discussing topics with other delegation while main negotiations take place, etc.). It is advised that you get together before the actual simulation to carve out how you want to approach 'playing' your country. Either way, it is vitally important that you come well prepared so that you can make use of this (short) time to the best possible effect.

After a short break, the simulated negotiations will take place, lasting about 65-70 minutes. After another short break, we have 25 mins to discuss the negotiation dynamics and de-brief on each country's strategies, experience and potential way forward. Don't forget to bring food and drink for a quick bite during the breaks.

An opportunity to ask questions about the simulation game will be in the lecture on Regional Security Complex Theory.

General rules of the simulation game:

- no pre-set agenda -> agenda needs to be negotiated among participating countries.

Round of opening statements, then open negotiations with speakers list.
- Introduce your core issues and representatives
Stay in character
procedurally, you can request a break of the main plenary, for example for back channel negotiations
you can present a motion, that is a text on which a vote can be taken. The motion needs to be available in writing.
other than that, the assembly will not tolerate insults and inappropriate, for example racist or aggressive language.

Mandatory reading:

Buzan, Barry and Ole Wæver: Regions and Powers. Cambridge: Cambridge UP 2003, Chptrs 2 & 3 (pp. 27-92).