Strategic Gaming in Conflict Stabilisation

general courses

To acquaint students with selected elements of theories related to the development and stabilization of armed conflict and post-conflict state reconstruction.

This course focuses on selected elements of theory related to stabilization of areas in conflict and post-conflict sates and their testing in interactive exercises and through a strategic game ‚Peace by Piece’. The course is based on 3 elements: theoretical introduction (classes in the room), e-learning course and playing the strategic game ‚Peace by Piece’, simulating the processes of stabilizing of an armed conflict. The course is based on combined teaching forms with particular attention to with interactive exercises.

The course is conducted in English.

In today's world, threats to the order of the Western world and its values are changing very rapidly. Today, these are not only terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or political instability of countries and regions, but also, for example, waves of migration and activities via the internet. Most of them originate in a specifically managed country (e. g. the United States). The EU is not a member of the European Union, but rather an authoritarian regime) or its resources, or in the absence of any control by the authorities over the territory, which quickly turns into political and social chaos. It is believed that the lack of law, the possibility of its implementation and the control of its observance are ideal grounds for the emergence of all major threats today. Hence the stabilisation of failing states and politically dynamic regions is becoming crucial for the security of many countries in the world and their societies. Influencing armed conflicts and building a stable peace by strengthening fragile forms of statehood is a condition for building a predictable international order.

This course focuses on selected elements of theory related to stabilization of areas in conflict and post-conflict sates and their testing in interactive exercises and through a strategic game ‚Peace by Piece’. The course is based on 3 elements: theoretical introduction (classes in the room), e-learning course and playing the strategic game ‚Peace by Piece’, simulating the processes of stabilizing of an armed conflict. The course is based on combined teaching forms with particular attention to with interactive exercises.

‚Peace by Piece’ commences here:

Mali - one of the largest countries in West Africa is plunging into chaos.

The Berber Tuareg people, who have ruled the Sahara for thousands of years, are falling apart into two opposing groups. Some want their own secular state (Azawad), others want to maintain their own Islamic domination of the desert.

At the same time, the Malian Army is making a coup in the capital and taking over power. A corrupt president is fleeing the country.

The international jihadist forces are pulling their weight into a conflict-ridden region. They want to monopolize a weak state - introduce caliphate and Sharia law.

Under the desert there are huge reserves of oil, uranium, gold and rare metal ores. The desert is crossed with trade routes: arms, drugs, diamonds, metal ores, slaves, refugees... Most of them lead to Europe.

Genocide, destruction, kidnapping. Everyone fights everyone. Nothing is certain. Nothing is predictable.

The game's at stake.

Join the game, choose your faction and face questions like:

- Is peace possible?

- How do you reconcile the weighed down sides?

- Will the holding of universal suffrage meet with the approval of the fighting and Malian society?

- Will the introduction of a new constitution provide a basis for stabilising the country?

- Will the launch of major humanitarian and infrastructural projects that benefit all Malians solve the problem?

- R. Paris, 1997, „Peacebuilding and the limits of litberal internationalism”, International Security Vol. 22/2.

- S. J. Kaufman, 1996, „An 'International' Theory of Inter—Ethnic War”, Review of International Studies Vol. 22/2

- A. Dziewulska (2020) ‚Contemporary conflict’ - e-learning course

- A. Dziewulska (2020) ‚The scope of peacebuilding’ - e-learning course

- A. Dziewulska (2020) ,Obstacles to peacebuilding’ - e-learning course

- A. Dziewulska (2020) ‚Power-sharing’ - e-learning course

- P. M. Bisca (2019) ‚Can Peace become Affordable: Lessons from security sector expenditure reviews in West Africa’ EUISS Brief 2

- P. C. Szasz (1995) ‚Lessons from security sector expenditure reviews in West Africa’, Fordham International Law Journal Vol. 19 No. 2

- P. C. Szasz (1997) ‚The Dayton Accord: The Balkan Peace Agreement’, Cornell International Law Journal, Vol. 30 No. 3

- J. Goodhand (2008) ‚Corrupting or Consolidating the Peace? The Drugs Economy and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Afghanistan’, International Peacekeeping

- ‚Unmaking Iraq: A Constitutional Process Gone Awry’, (2005) International Crisis Group, Middle East Briefing N°19

- B. Lecocq, G. Mann, B. Whitehouse, D. Badi, L. Pelckmans, N. Belalimat, B. Hall, W. Lacher (2013) ‚One hippopotamus and eight blind analysts: a multivocal analysis of the 2012 political crisis in the divided Republic of Mali’, Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 40, No. 137

Upon completion of the course the student will:

1. (In terms of knowledge) know the basics of theories related to building peace after the resolution of an armed conflict; know the problems related to the reconstruction of state structures, political systems; know the dilemmas of the peacekeepers regarding the priorities of organizing life in a post-conflict state; know the basic principles of the international community to provide financial assistance; know the operation of political conditionality; know the history of the development of ways of influencing armed conflicts in the world; be aware of the most significant security threats; he knew the provisions of basic international documents defining the possibilities of influencing in third countries.

2. (In terms of skills), be able to deal with documents relating to international security issues; be able to analyse the cycle of conflicts; be able to find specialist literature relating to armed conflicts; be able to characterise the most important international forces influencing armed conflicts; be able to propose a division of tasks among international institutions in a stabilised country.

3. (In relation to social competences) be able to conduct a critical analysis of the activities of peacekeeping forces; be able to discuss and exchange arguments; be able to analyse a source text in English; strengthen the ability to work in a group; consolidate the knowledge of English.

The course consists of three parts and each of them requires a credit:

with regard to classes in the classroom - the student must attend classes and may leave one

with regard to the e-learning course - the student must familiarise himself/herself with the materials provided, perform all obligatory tasks and obtain a certificate of completion of the course (made available on the e-learning platform automatically after completing the obligatory exercises for min. 60% of the points)

regarding the strategic game - active participation in the game

Additionally, the student prepares an essay (3000-3500 characters) related to the area of the classes, on a topic consulted with the teacher, in which theoretical elements are confronted with the experience of conflict simulation in the strategic game ‚Peace by Piece'.

None.