Guatemala
Bullets and Ballots Simulation
Created By:
Jarod Minassian
Leading Questions:
1- What groups are involved, who had the power.
2- How the balance of power shifted and why.
3- How was cooperation and conflict shown in the game (violence/corruption/war).
4- What role did the US have on the simulation?
5- What happens to a country when power shifts, is the effect positive or negative?
6- Apply this information to YOUR LIFE! What relationships do you have in your life, and how are cooperation and conflict evident?
Responses:
1. The groups involved were the Army/ Wealthy, Guatemalan Government, Guerrillas, U.S.A., Cubans and the peasants. The Army/ wealthy had the power to begin with because they had the most MSU’s.
2. The balance of power shifted a little in the beginning when Cuba gave the Guerrillas 60 MSU and they started gaining power. After month one the Army/ Wealthy still had power though month one. After month two the Guerrillas got power and used the takeover card and tried to implant a communist society. America disagreed and decided to take over and put the Army/ Wealthy in charge. Currently Nathan is the president and the Army/ Wealthy are in charge.
3. The United States and the Army/ Wealthy formed an alliance after the Guerrillas and the Guatemalan Government formed an alliance. This caused those two alliances to be enemies and they started to be violent. Nathan used the silence card on Eli because he was too strong of a player which was a conflict during the game.
4. The U.S. gave MSU to the Army/ wealthy and to the peasants. Also after the Guerrillas took over the country the U.S. invaded and took over and then put the Army/ Wealthy in charge.
5. When the power shifts in a country it is bad because whoever has the power pretty much has a bullseye on their back. Also the group that has power makes the rule for the country and when the power shifts a lot the rules change causing tensions to rise in the country.
6. This applies to my life because I have friendships with people because they can give me assets that are helpful just like the Government did with the Guerrillas because they wanted their military strength.