The Art of Negotiation: A Simulation for Resolving Conflict in Federal States - Softcover

Rose, Jonathan; Conrad, Alexis; McLean, John

9781551114811: The Art of Negotiation: A Simulation for Resolving Conflict in Federal States

Softcover

ISBN 10: 155111481X ISBN 13: 9781551114811

Publisher: University of Toronto Press, 2002

How do leaders in a federation make important decisions? Whose interests should be paramount: those of the state or the federal government? What are the costs and benefits of symmetrical and asymmetrical federalism? These are some of the questions explored in The Art of Negotiation.

This book sets up a game or simulation intended to help students understand the role of negotiation in intergovernmental relations. The setting is the fictional country of Holden. Participants role-play first ministers and other ministers at an intergovernmental conference. They learn how federal states manage such issues as the competing and conflicting demands of cultural and linguistic protection for minorities, the appropriate distribution of economic wealth among its states, and the accommodations that need to be made when a country engages in more liberalized trade with its neighbours.

Though "Holden" is not real, the problems discussed in this book are ones faced by virtually all federal countries: issues of language, fiscal equality, cultural protection of minorities, and the appropriate balance of power between central and provincial or state governments.

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About the Author:

Jonathan Rose is Associate Professor of Political Studies at Queen's University.
Alexis Conrad is an analyst at Intergovernmental Affairs, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada.
John McLean is a doctoral student in the Department of Political Studies at Queen's University.

Review:

The best political simulation I have experienced. They don't come any more realistic than this. (Michael Zorbas, simulation participant, Australia)

This manuscript stands as a testament to the creativity and innovativeness of the authors. The amount of work that has gone into making this such an intellectually stimulating and humorous teaching tool is obvious, and the integrated network of issues, context, personalities and strategies is truly impressive. In it, both students and instructors will find an engaging and incredibly user-friendly set of documents upon which to launch an intergovernmental bargaining simulation. (Debora Van Nijnatten, Wilfrid Laurier University)

You're in the pressure cooker. On the one hand, you need to do what's right for the people you represent. On the other hand, you want to work cooperatively with other governments to reach a solution. Say the wrong thing at the wrong time, and the deal is off. Come on too strong, and you may do yourself, and your citizens, more harm than good. (Paul Black, simulation participant, Canada)

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