The Model Arctic Council: Simulated Negotiations as Pedagogy and Embodied Diplomacy. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarson, Leah; Muzik, Val; Ray, Brandon; Gambrell, Glenn; Yona, Leehi; Comeau, Robert
• Is Part Of: American review of Canadian studies. Volume 49:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Model Arctic Council -- diplomacy -- pedagogy -- international relations -- Arctic Council; Comparative civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Canada -- Periodicals; United States -- Periodicals; 971
• DOI: 10.1080/02722011.2019.1570955
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-2011

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article draws on the perspectives of students and organizers involved in recent iterations of the Model Arctic Council (MAC), an experiential learning simulation designed to expand students' knowledge and understanding of the Arctic and its governance. While much of the discourse related to simulations such as the MAC emphasizes its pedagogical and networking benefits, this article leverages participant-based ethnography to argue that the MAC also affects multi-track diplomatic outcomes in addition to serving as a site for diplomatic engagement. Applying an interpretive approach driven by the onset of practice-tracing in international relations, we demonstrate that the MAC both produces and constitutes diplomacy. Such a reimagination elevates the diplomacy of non-state actors and exposes false binaries between state diplomacy and non-state diplomacy.