2025/06/17 by Robert Keener · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Innovative Teaching Methodologies in Social Sciences #Political Science Research and Education #Political Conflict and Governance
paper · doi:10.1080/15512169.2025.2511921
openalex publication_date 2025/06/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/14
This article introduces the simulation “Dungeons and Dictators”, a role-playing simulation designed to mimic the logic of authoritarian states. While teaching democracies and international organizations is more intuitive, as their instruction allows for examples such as students voting or participating in model international organizations, most instruction on authoritarianism does not capture the complexities within authoritarian states. This article introduces the simulation, outlines best practices for its classroom application, identifies key teachable moments, and analyzes results from two trial classes. What makes this simulation different from others is the emphasis on individuality, various victory conditions, and the high ceiling for fun and organic situations. The students are assigned various roles in a hypothetical authoritarian state, with different objectives, and encouraged to think laterally and creatively to accomplish their goals. In both trial runs, the actions of the students were remarkably consistent with international relations theory regarding authoritarian states, civil wars, and interventionism.