Simulating Negotiation in Protracted Conflicts

Abstract

Protracted conflict presents students with an unfamiliar and often puzzling context. Why do negotiations sometimes succeed, while at other points, actors are unable to reach agreement on key issues, even in the face of deadly costs? In this article, I introduce an extended role-playing simulation designed to enhance student understanding of protracted conflict through the lens of Israeli-Palestinian relations. After describing the goals and mechanics of the simulation, I present evidence that the simulation improves students’ insight into how individuals and parties’ preferences, international mediation, violence, identity, and commitment problems interact to shape negotiations.