$0.00 – $6.50
Jeffrey B. Litwak and Lawrence Susskind
SCENARIO:
A federal statute requires each state to submit a plan detailing how it will spend its share of an energy assistance fund for low-income residents. Governor Able of Monroe, a state that has been criticized for its previous policy, has created an Energy Assistance Task Force with members from state agencies, utility companies, the legislature and consumer groups to try and reach a consensus on a new plan. The Task Force has been meeting for several months to discuss the three issues of eligibility for assistance, funding for the program, and method of payment as instructed by the Governor. Participants in the exercise are given portions of the Task Force meeting transcripts and several questions to discuss. Unlike Monroe Energy Assistance Game I, this simulation forces the parties to deal with fundamental disagreements over values. The parties have to find some way of dealing with their ideological differences, not just differing economic interests.
MAJOR LESSONS:
This exercise promotes players’ awareness of opposing parties interests and values. It encourages the exploration of additional options that might offer common ground.
Relationships can be studied and their roles in developing negotiating strategies.
The ethical and moral obligations of a mediator in a public dispute can be probed using this case.
MECHANICS:
This exercise is best played with six players (one per role). Preparation takes approximately 30-45 minutes. Allow 1-1 1/2 hours for negotiation and at least 1 hour for debriefing.
TEACHING MATERIALS:
For all parties:
General Instructions
- The Method of Payment Debate
- The Eligibility Debate
- The Programming Funding Debate
Teacher’s Package:
- All of the above
THEMES:
BATNA; Caucusing; Closure; Coalitions; Commitment; Communication; Competition v. Cooperation; Consensus Building; Constituents; Currently perceived choice analysis; Ethics; Fairness; Group process; Information exchange; Interest, dovetailing; Partisan perceptions; Pressure tactics; Risk aversion; Single-text procedure; Time constraints; Value conflicts; Yesable propositions
Monroe Energy Assistance Game II Attributes
Authors: | Jeffrey B. Litwak and Lawrence Susskind |
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Publisher: | Program on Negotiation |
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Teaching notes available: |