Introduction to Political Science Simulation
for Understanding the Political World

For three weeks, students will participate in the Gov Lite simulation, followed by a five-week engagement in the IR Lite simulation. During these simulations, they will build nations from scratch, selecting and analyzing contemporary governmental and economic systems. Students will explore the political philosophies associated with each system and develop their foreign policies. Additionally, they will take on roles within the U.S. government, across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each week, they will craft, implement, and experience the impacts of various government policies. This experience will culminate in midterm elections.

Enhance your introduction to Political Science Learning with Statecraft's IR and US Gov Lite Sims: A Practical, Interactive Complement to Leading Textbooks on Global Organizations and U.S. Government Dynamics, Enabling Students to Experience Real-World Diplomatic and Policy-Making Scenarios

“International Organizations Fourth Edition” by Ian Hurd: This textbook focuses on the legal and political dynamics of international organizations. The IR Lite sim allows students to engage directly with these dynamics, simulating international negotiations and legal frameworks, while the US Gov Lite sim provides insights into how national policies influence and are influenced by international bodies. This dual perspective enriches understanding of the textbook’s themes.
“International Organization” by Volker Rittberger, et al.: This book provides a detailed look at the structure and policies of international organizations like the UN, EU, IMF, and World Bank. Using the IR Lite sim, students can simulate participation in these organizations, understanding their internal workings and external interactions. The US Gov Lite sim complements this by showing how a major member state like the United States interacts with these bodies, influencing and implementing international policies.
“International Organizations: Principles and Issues (7th Edition)”: This textbook explores the foundational principles and current issues facing international organizations. The IR Lite sim enables students to experience these issues first-hand through simulation scenarios, while the US Gov Lite sim offers a perspective on how these principles and issues are reflected in U.S. government policies and practices.
“How to Do Things With International Law” by Ian Hurd: The book’s approach to using international law practically is perfectly complemented by the IR Lite sim, where students can apply legal concepts in simulated global contexts. The US Gov Lite sim adds depth by showing how such laws are interpreted and applied within the framework of U.S. governance, affecting international relations.
“After Anarchy: Legitimacy and Power in the UN Security Council” by Ian Hurd: Here, the focus is on the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining international order. The IR Lite sim allows students to simulate the positions of various countries within the Security Council, dealing with issues of legitimacy and power. The US Gov Lite sim provides insight into the strategic considerations of the U.S. as one of the permanent members of the Council, exploring its influence and responsibilities.

Strategy

To gather points students can pursue a myriad of strategies: from avoiding conflict for domestic wellbeing to cautiously collaborative strategies that maximize economic synergies while carefully checking other countries' imperial motives. It is possible that every country could get a perfect score and all thrive; however (just like in the real world) that rarely happens.

Goals

Each turn students try to achieve three types of goals: (1) Cooperative Global Goals that are shared with the entire world such as ending world hunger; (2) Competitive Country Goals for excelling in a certain area such as “Most Environmentally Friendly” or “Safest” and finally (3) Country Development Goals based on domestic factors such as citizens' health, welfare, environment, safety and education.

Domestic Factors

Every turn countries will produce resources students must decide how to invest; they’ll bump up against the classic “guns vs. butter” conundrum. They’ll also get a Quality of Life score that equates to points for their citizens' health, welfare, environment, safety and education. Unhappy citizens engage in costly strikes and demonstrations! Unhealthy citizens die of famine!

International Factors

There are pirates terrorizing the world! Ice Mountain is melting and threatening to flood the entire globe! Should they participate in the U.N.? What about that crazy country over there trying to build a nuclear weapon? Both simulation events and classmates create drama and excitement and demonstrate how intertwined the world truly is.

effective, fun & helpful

Understanding the Political World Textbook

Demonstrate Course Concepts

Students experience important IR concepts such as security dilemmas and collective action problems first-hand and personally feel how complicated leadership truly is. In order to succeed in the simulation, they’ll have to apply course-related knowledge. 

Understanding the Political World Textbook

Engage Students

Game-like play sucks students into the simulations where they must take ownership of their learning experience. They’re empowered to excel to their own personal limits and shine. Engagement enhances the knowledge acquisition process and makes it fun!

Understanding the Political World Textbook

Save Time

The simulation is easy to set up and runs itself. You have a new tool to draw connections to course concepts and spark dynamic conversations. All-unique simulation scenarios every semester promote academic honesty. Instructor tools do tasks like grading for you. 

Experience Statecraft Today

use statecraft 100% ONLINE OR IN-PERSON

Handsome African American Student with great hair plays Statecraft Simulations

Easily create an unforgettable, dynamic online class

This is a great choice for you if you’ve recently moved a class online and need an easy, effective way to spark student interest, create engagement and foster participation. It’s also a great choice if you’re unsure of what your class format will be next semester: these simulations will easily transition with you whether your class is 100% online, in-person or a blend. 

Introduction to Political Science SImulation for Understanding the Political World.

The Statecraft World Map is where all of the action happens! Students can log in via a desktop computer or a mobile device. The map illustrates the geographical layout of the world showing resource centers, deserts and mountains as well as the climate situation. The colored lines delineate territory zones belonging to each country. The icons mark cities, military units, landmarks and terrorist occupations. Once a student spies on a foreign country those cities and military units will also be exposed. Clicking on the icons reveals more information and there’s a detailed legend key to offer extra map guidance. 

In the nav bars at the top students can access all of the critical information for their world as well as look at their intelligence data for other countries. They’ll be able to access their Diplomacy, Military, Intelligence, Domestic and Research activities as well as manage their Resources. 

Diplomacy

Military

Intelligence

International Relations Simulation Online

Domestic

Research

Resources Bar

Time-Saving Instructor Tools for Introduction to Political Science.

Foreign Policy Attitude Test

Student Assignments

Statecraft automatically assigns students to roles based on a brief attitude test  designed for optimum role fit and student collaboration during the initial signup process.

Playing Statecraft Simulations on her mobile phone

Automated Student Prompting, Feedback & Calculations

Professors report an average of 13% time savings by using simulation tools that automatically prompt students, issue feedback, and guide outcomes.

Automated Grading in Statecraft IR

Automated Grading

The Statecraft system tracks all choices and outcomes and automatically reports final grades to the instructor in an excel exportable format for your convenience. 

how Statecraft Introduction to Political Science works for understanding the political world

Easy Set-up & Launch

Statecraft IR Sim Sign Up Screen

An immersive Introduction to political Science Simulation for understanding the political world.

Once the simulation launches, students meet as a country and their first action is to choose a country name, city names, and positions for each student. They also select a government type and two attributes which will bestow special country abilities and constraints. Students’ initial decisions about their country type and attributes are the foundation for their strategy and affect the way they’ll be able to operate in the simulation. 

Every regime type has bonuses and drawbacks. For example, in a democratic regime the country’s embrace of freedom yields educational and scientific benefits and makes the population happier. The downside is increased crime, a coarser culture, and limits to rapid military mobilization.

Regime type and country attributes factor into the country’s Quality of Life scores each turn, which significantly impacts points earned. That means dedicating resources to building up the country’s health, welfare, education, and other domestic ratings is a critical part of overall success in the simulation. Leaders must keep their people happy and healthy!  

Student Positions

Regime types

Screenshot showing the constraints when students choose the “Constitutional Monarchy” regime: 

Defend the Queen Screenshot

Country attributes

Screenshot of “Scientific” attribute bonuses: 

Big Brain Divided Screenshot
International Organizations Fourth EditionInternational OrganizationInternational Organizations Principles and Issues 7th Edition

Playing the Introduction To Political Science Simulation for Understanding the Political World

The Instructor's Role

International Organizations Fourth EditionInternational OrganizationInternational Organizations Principles and Issues 7th Edition

Reality: challenges, opportunities, and tradeoffs

Students start out with aspirational goals and a strategy to achieve greatness, yet reality quickly demonstrates great plans are difficult to achieve! They must grapple with a complex mix of domestic and international factors as they experience first-hand how maddeningly complicated global politics truly is. They’re presented with conundrums such as guns vs. butter. Suddenly there’s a mountain melting that could flood the world, terrorists are attacking and their population is rioting because of famine – ACK! 

This “controlled chaos” affects students on a personal level: they’ll experience real emotions like excitement, frustration and shock! You’ll find a wealth of teachable moments and students will be asking you intelligent questions as they try to figure out what to do. Working through these issues is how real learning happens and it’s the reason the Statecraft IR Simulation is so effective. 

Many Possible Strategies,
Including:

National Decisions Required Concerning:

Global Issues that Cannot be Ignored:

International Organizations Fourth EditionInternational OrganizationInternational Organizations Principles and Issues 7th Edition

Conclusion & Grading

If you’re looking for even more detailed information, see the Resources page for the instructor manual, sample syllabus and other helpful documentation. 

Let's do this! Experience Statecraft for Yourself

Book your personal demo today! We’ll answer your questions, show you how these cool features work and help you set up your first Statecraft IR Simulation.

Introduction to Political Science Simulation

Results you’ll experience:

Costs much less than a textbook

Students pay

$39.75

4.6/5

4.72

out of 5 stars

Instructors rated Statecraft Customer Service 4.72 of 5 stars User Satisfaction Surveys

Excellent Customer Support

Get started today to experience how Statecraft brings Introduction to Political Science to life in your course!

You can sign up online now to get started immediately or book your personal demo! We’ll give you a complete product tour, answer all of your questions and help you configure your first Statecraft IR Simulation.

Statecraft Simulations are used in 15 countries at over 475 universities

Statecraft Project LeaderMaker

As a company, we are passionate about student success! Our mission is to engage students in social science topics in a way that ignites their curiosity, excitement for learning, and social skills regardless of their learning styles or socio-economic disadvantages. In the spirit of this mission, we founded the Statecraft Project LeaderMaker, which donates simulation accounts to low-income high schools. 

How it works:

The number of accounts donated is determined by evaluating school’s free lunch percentage and unique budget constraints. Contact Joe at [email protected] to learn more about the program. 

Group of multi-racial students smiling in class

Let's Keep In Touch

Sign up for the Statecraft Newsletter and we’ll send you product updates, simulation tips and exclusive offers straight to your inbox! 

Enhance your introduction to Political Science Learning with Statecraft's IR and US Gov Lite Sims: A Practical, Interactive Complement to Leading Textbooks on Global Organizations and U.S. Government Dynamics, Enabling Students to Experience Real-World Diplomatic and Policy-Making Scenariosy

“International Organizations Fourth Edition” by Ian Hurd: This textbook focuses on the legal and political dynamics of international organizations. The IR Lite sim allows students to engage directly with these dynamics, simulating international negotiations and legal frameworks, while the US Gov Lite sim provides insights into how national policies influence and are influenced by international bodies. This dual perspective enriches understanding of the textbook’s themes.
“International Organization” by Volker Rittberger, et al.: This book provides a detailed look at the structure and policies of international organizations like the UN, EU, IMF, and World Bank. Using the IR Lite sim, students can simulate participation in these organizations, understanding their internal workings and external interactions. The US Gov Lite sim complements this by showing how a major member state like the United States interacts with these bodies, influencing and implementing international policies.
“International Organizations: Principles and Issues (7th Edition)”: This textbook explores the foundational principles and current issues facing international organizations. The IR Lite sim enables students to experience these issues first-hand through simulation scenarios, while the US Gov Lite sim offers a perspective on how these principles and issues are reflected in U.S. government policies and practices.
“How to Do Things With International Law” by Ian Hurd: The book’s approach to using international law practically is perfectly complemented by the IR Lite sim, where students can apply legal concepts in simulated global contexts. The US Gov Lite sim adds depth by showing how such laws are interpreted and applied within the framework of U.S. governance, affecting international relations.
“After Anarchy: Legitimacy and Power in the UN Security Council” by Ian Hurd: Here, the focus is on the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining international order. The IR Lite sim allows students to simulate the positions of various countries within the Security Council, dealing with issues of legitimacy and power. The US Gov Lite sim provides insight into the strategic considerations of the U.S. as one of the permanent members of the Council, exploring its influence and responsibilities.

Enhance your introduction to Political Science Learning with Statecraft's IR and US Gov Lite Sims: A Practical, Interactive Complement to Leading Textbooks on Global Organizations and U.S. Government Dynamics, Enabling Students to Experience Real-World Diplomatic and Policy-Making Scenariosy

“International Organizations Fourth Edition” by Ian Hurd: This textbook focuses on the legal and political dynamics of international organizations. The IR Lite sim allows students to engage directly with these dynamics, simulating international negotiations and legal frameworks, while the US Gov Lite sim provides insights into how national policies influence and are influenced by international bodies. This dual perspective enriches understanding of the textbook’s themes.
“International Organization” by Volker Rittberger, et al.: This book provides a detailed look at the structure and policies of international organizations like the UN, EU, IMF, and World Bank. Using the IR Lite sim, students can simulate participation in these organizations, understanding their internal workings and external interactions. The US Gov Lite sim complements this by showing how a major member state like the United States interacts with these bodies, influencing and implementing international policies.
“International Organizations: Principles and Issues (7th Edition)”: This textbook explores the foundational principles and current issues facing international organizations. The IR Lite sim enables students to experience these issues first-hand through simulation scenarios, while the US Gov Lite sim offers a perspective on how these principles and issues are reflected in U.S. government policies and practices.
“How to Do Things With International Law” by Ian Hurd: The book’s approach to using international law practically is perfectly complemented by the IR Lite sim, where students can apply legal concepts in simulated global contexts. The US Gov Lite sim adds depth by showing how such laws are interpreted and applied within the framework of U.S. governance, affecting international relations.
“After Anarchy: Legitimacy and Power in the UN Security Council” by Ian Hurd: Here, the focus is on the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining international order. The IR Lite sim allows students to simulate the positions of various countries within the Security Council, dealing with issues of legitimacy and power. The US Gov Lite sim provides insight into the strategic considerations of the U.S. as one of the permanent members of the Council, exploring its influence and responsibilities.

DON'T LEAVE WITH QUESTIONS

We have answers and ideas for you.

If you’re still looking for info, make sure to book your personalized demo today! Along with a product tour, we’ll chat about how your sim of interest can work best for your unique class situation.

Blue Statecraft Simulations Fireworks