Culture: Patterns and Processes
Unit 3
What groups are involved, who had the power?
The groups involved in the game were the Army and Wealthy, Guerillas, Peasants, and The Guatemalan Government. At the beginning of the game, The Army and Wealth had the most MSUs (military strength units). Power was giving to the Guerillas from attacks they made on the Army and Wealthy. At the end of the game, the United States launched a full takeover and gave the Guatemalan government most of the power. However, in this game power can be measured in different ways. Power is seen in MSUs, but power can also be in things like influential or economic power. The government won the election by using influential power over the peasants, but the Army and Wealthy still have their wealth.
Above is a picture of Guatemala
How the balance of power shifted and why?
The power shifted from The Army and Wealthy at the beginning with 200 MSUs, and also having economic power, to at the end the United States launching a full takeover and having power over Guatemala. The power shifted because of the influence the groups had on one another. MSUs and votes had the influential power over the groups, this was how treaties were made. The Peasants agreed to give all of their votes to the government when the government promise them better living conditions and welfare. With the peasant's votes, the Guatemalan Government won the election and, at the end, have the most power along with the United States. The Guerillas had some power throughout the game because of attacks they placed on the Army and Wealthy, giving them MSUs. However, at the end the United States divided the MSUs to what they thought was appropriate , and gave the Guerillas none. The US started with little to no power against Guatemala, it wasn't until the takeover that they gained control.
How was cooperation and conflict shown in the game?
Conflict was shown between the Guerillas and The Army and Wealthy, and was never worked out throughout the game. The Guatemalan government worked with the peasants to get their votes and that is how they gained power. Conflict was shown between the US, Army and Wealthy and the Guatemalan government because the power was being taken away from the rich and given to the other two groups. The Guerillas launched multiple attacks against the Army and Wealthy , and the Army and Wealthy attacked them back only in month three. Cooperation was shown towards the end when the United States distributed the MSUs to the groups, to what the felt was appropriate. The peasants worked with the government, but was apposed to the Army and Wealthy and their ideas.
What role did the US have on the simulation?
At the beginning of the game, the United States didn't do much within the groups. They made a treaty with the peasants promising that they'll tell the government of all of their actions they take during the game. The United Sates also signed a treaty with the Guatemalan government making assuring that they will have a democratic government. At the end of the game the US launched a takeover on Guatemala, and gained a lot of control over the country. They split up the MSUs to what they thought was appropriate and held an election for the country. The Guatemalan Government had the most MSUs at the end, and the US gave themselves the second most.
What happens to a country when power shifts, is the effect positve or negative?
When a country's power shifts, it can effect a country positively or negatively. In some instances, like the one in the game, when the US took control of Guatemala, it had a positive effect for most of the groups involved. In other situations this is not the case. Often times a government or a President is overthrown and this can cause chaos in the country. There are some places where their government is shifting power or doesn't have a leader at all, and this causes havoc. In the game, the power shift was great for the government and possibly for the peasants, but not good for the Guerillas and the Army and Wealthy. The Army and Wealthy lost most of their power and couldn't influence the peasants to vote for them in the election.
How does this game of conflict and cooperation relate to things in my life?
There is conflict and cooperation in many aspects of my life. My relationship with my parents has conflict in it. For example, I asked to stay at a friends house until seven one night, but my mom wanted me home at six. We solved this by meeting in the middle at six thirty. This is a simple example, but there was conflict and cooperation. I also have conflict with my brother sometimes. When my brother is watching a TV show that I'm not interested in, I ask if I can change it. He always says no, but we have solved this problem before. Ether we pick a show we both like or he gets to finish watching whatever he's watching and then I get control. We usually cooperate with each other, and it all ends well.
What I think
I believe that if this country were to continue under the parameters of which it would be under in this game that the country wouldn't do very well. I think this because the Guatemalan government didn't seem convincing to me and I don't think that they'll come through on their promises they made to the peasants, including free welfare. I think that although the United States has provided assistance to help Guatemala become democratic, that they'll eventually give up on the country because they have other things to worry about. Overall, I think in the long run the country will go downhill again.