Student Introduction to the Social Security Game

You are about to play a game based on the U.S. Social Security law of 1935. You will be assigned a role/character as someone from 1935, though most students will have a fairly generic role. There are 3 main factions, sort of like political parties: It is quite possible that you were assigned a faction that is not in agreement with your own 21st-century personal political leanings. Part of the point of the whole endeavor is to practice putting yourself in the mindset of other people, and how they might use mathematics/numerical arguments to persuade others. So please apply yourself to the game in the mindset of your character.

During the game, people will stand up and make presentations arguing what to include or not in the new law, using math and numbers to make their points. Other people can ask them questions. Sometimes we might vote whether to include something or not along the way. There will be one big vote at the end that will determine which factions win (if anyone).

Of course you want to win in this debate--it boosts your grade. But, it is also possible to get an A in the class even if you don't win.

The New Dealers will argue (using math) for including a lot of things in the new law, like: The Conservatives will argue (using math) against including those things.

It's not quite clear to the New Dealers and the Conservatives what the Center faction wants.

Before the first class meeting set in 1935, each student will write a short article (such as would appear in a newspaper opinion column) explaining their position or proposal on a particular issue. These will be submitted and publicized, so everyone can read what everyone else is proposing.

One student will be The Chairman, and will schedule which topics will be talked about in which order, and who goes first. For example, perhaps Disability is first on the list, and the Conservatives will speak first. Then one or two Conservative members will stand at the front of the room and talk (using numbers) about how there is no need for government-run disability insurance, and how starting one would be bad for the country. They should probably have a PowerPoint to show as they talk.

As they talk, people can ask questions (if the Chairman permits). Afterward, other people will get up and give their own proposal, again being asked questions as they go.

Then the Chairman will enter something into the draft of the law based on how the discussion went. There might be a quick vote on it.

Then we will proceed to the next topic, and repeat the whole cycle. There will be breaks every 15 minutes or so for groups to discuss strategy among themselves, and talk with members of other groups.

You are expected to discuss strategy, etc. with your faction members before, during, and between class sessions (often via email).

Then at the end of the game, there will be a vote to see if the whole new law passes or not.

After the game finishes, each student will write another short article explaining what happened and why they voted the way they did.

If you use an incorrect number in making a political point and nobody calls you on it, I will not mark you down. That's how politics is played. So if someone uses a number that you don't like/makes your position uncomfortable, it's your job to call them on it.

We are not aiming to re-enact exactly what did happen historically in 1935. The outcome of this game could be similar to what did happen, or it could be very different--either one is fine, as long as you are making arguments using numbers.

What to bring to class: