RobertB
19 June 2007, 01:55 PM
Just came across this on Slashdot (http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/06/19/1414220) (so if it doesn't work today due to the Slashdot Effect, try again tomorrow):
http://www.redistrictinggame.com/
Here's the description:
The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest.
By exploring how the system works, as well as how open it is to abuse, The Redistricting Game allows players to experience the realities of one of the most important (yet least understood) aspects of our political system. The game provides a basic introduction to the redistricting system, allows players to explore the ways in which abuses can undermine the system, and provides info about reform initiatives - including a playable version of the Tanner Reform bill to demonstrate the ways that the system might be made more consistent with tenets of good governance. Beyond playing the game, the web site for The Redistricting Game provides a wealth of information about redistricting in every state as well as providing hands-on opportunities for civic engagement and political action.
There are five levels:
* Mission 1: Fundamentals - Learn the basics of redistricting in the State of Jefferson.
* Mission 2: Partisan Gerrymander - Gerrymander the State of Hamilton in your party's favor.
* Mission 3: Bipartisan Gerrymander - Create a bipartisan gerrymander in the State of Madison.
* Mission 4: Voting Rights Act - Ensure minority representation in the State of Hamilton.
* Mission 5: Reform - See for yourself how the Tanner Proposal would change the system.
I haven't had time to check it out (I'm busy trying to figure out some work-related way to look busy), but it looks fascinating. I think it's fair to say that the simulation is biased against the current politically-driven methods of redistricting, but that's not a terribly non-mainstream view.
http://www.redistrictinggame.com/
Here's the description:
The Redistricting Game is designed to educate, engage, and empower citizens around the issue of political redistricting. Currently, the political system in most states allows the state legislators themselves to draw the lines. This system is subject to a wide range of abuses and manipulations that encourage incumbents to draw districts which protect their seats rather than risk an open contest.
By exploring how the system works, as well as how open it is to abuse, The Redistricting Game allows players to experience the realities of one of the most important (yet least understood) aspects of our political system. The game provides a basic introduction to the redistricting system, allows players to explore the ways in which abuses can undermine the system, and provides info about reform initiatives - including a playable version of the Tanner Reform bill to demonstrate the ways that the system might be made more consistent with tenets of good governance. Beyond playing the game, the web site for The Redistricting Game provides a wealth of information about redistricting in every state as well as providing hands-on opportunities for civic engagement and political action.
There are five levels:
* Mission 1: Fundamentals - Learn the basics of redistricting in the State of Jefferson.
* Mission 2: Partisan Gerrymander - Gerrymander the State of Hamilton in your party's favor.
* Mission 3: Bipartisan Gerrymander - Create a bipartisan gerrymander in the State of Madison.
* Mission 4: Voting Rights Act - Ensure minority representation in the State of Hamilton.
* Mission 5: Reform - See for yourself how the Tanner Proposal would change the system.
I haven't had time to check it out (I'm busy trying to figure out some work-related way to look busy), but it looks fascinating. I think it's fair to say that the simulation is biased against the current politically-driven methods of redistricting, but that's not a terribly non-mainstream view.