We were heading for the ideological centre together. That was, indeed, the idea of simulating a negotiation to achieve agreements to create value. Everyone must have something, and everyone was to reach an agreement, even if we disagreed on absolutely everything. To this end, we each had to determine what issues were truly important to our party and where we could loosen our ideological grip somewhat, hopefully in exchange for the common (fictional) good.
I felt a little dirty afterwards as if I was soiled. Everyone at the table was given a different role. I was to play the part of a representative of a small NGO for organic farmers. My strategy was to be perceived as a unifier. Someone who might get invited again the next time, so I would be able to gain more traction for my position. I had no intention of pushing too hard; I wanted people to sympathise with my party. I made concession after concession while tripping over my words to achieve this goal during the negotiations. All the parties at the table reached an agreement, but we all had to make many concessions to arrive at that point. My positions and convictions were considerably diluted, and I genuinely felt I had let down my fictitious constituents. I consoled myself with the thought that, at least, I hadn’t been forced to defend the interests of companies such as Monsanto or Syngenta. It could have been grimier.
I consoled myself with the thought that, at least, I hadn’t been forced to defend the interests of companies such as Monsanto or Syngenta
Although it was a game, the experience and the dirty feeling afterwards left me with questions. Is this what it feels like to represent something you feel strongly about? How can you convey your feelings in such a way that you are perceived as principled rather than as a hardliner? (Hint: this is more challenging for women.) And, is it always important to keep your seat at the table to retain some -even if it is just a tiny bit – power? It was painfully similar to real life. After the simulation, we switched on our phones, and a new government was installed. One no one seems to want. Is this what seven months of negotiating brought us?
Ilja Bouwknegt (25) is a master’s student in Forest and Nature Conservation. Ilja is interested in the relationship between humans and nature and prefers to try every hobby at least once. Currently, that is crochet, but writing remains the undisputed favourite.
