Title:  Boardgaming Politics in War

Author: Volko Ruhnke

Abstract: Boardgames, at the "low end" of training wargames, have an advantage over complex computer models of greater transparency to students.  As all models of political affairs are really opinions, boardgames offer a high potential for student engagement and credence regarding, for example, the nature of politics in unconventional warfare.  Three commercial-style board wargames illustrate this potential with regard to examining the question "why do combatants in unconventional war sometimes turn to terrorism?".  They also illustrate the importance of prompting students to second-guess the instructional game design itself.

Last Updated: 22 July 2011