Enhancing Policy Development Through Actor-Based Simulation

Summary

Through the line of reasoning presented in this chapter, I have pointed out that gaming—actor-based modeling—offers a powerful and fruitful methodology to deal with tricky social issues. However, it is not in the position to take responsibility for its contributions to solving social issues. It is not in the driver’s seat to take control of the future. Game designers and facilitators can enhance social problem-solving processes by offering suitable interactive learning environments for negotiating meaning and improve joint capacities. Even if the potential of simulation gaming to enhance social problem-solving is high, as professionals we can take only limited responsibility.

In the Enlightenment tradition, we may believe that more information and knowledge will automatically lead to better judgment and improved circumstances. In the policy arena we tend to forget that building and maintaining governing relationships once in a while will lead policy makers to repress, or ignore information. We need to ensure that policy makers will take the risk of getting involved in the participative modeling approach, depicted through the macrocycle. That, as such, should be considered quite an accomplishment.