Contextualization

The theme of 'Politics and Power' is a fundamental approach in the study of Philosophy, as it encompasses questions about how societies are organized, who leads them, and what effects these dynamics have on the individual and the collective. Understanding this theme is essential to act consciously and responsibly in our society.

The concepts of politics and power are often linked to corruption and manipulation, but in reality, they are important tools for the management and administration of a group or society. Politics is the art of governing, making decisions that affect the collective. Power, on the other hand, can be understood as the capacity, ability, or authority to do something, being a means to achieve ends in politics.

Why is it important?

Living in society requires us to make decisions together. But who should make these decisions? How should they be made? These are fundamental questions for the study of Politics and Power. Furthermore, we live in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, where decisions made in one country can affect people in different parts of the globe. Therefore, knowing about politics and power is essential for us to act consciously and responsibly.

In this sense, understanding how these processes occur, what strategies are used, and how they affect our lives becomes essential for the construction of a fairer and more equitable society. Whether by voting, debating, or protesting, we are all, to some extent, political agents.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'Card Game: Power and Politics'

Project Objective

The objective of this activity is to explore, in a playful and dynamic way, concepts such as power and politics. Students will create and play a card game that simulates the construction of a society, where different strategies will give them different forms of power and political influence. Additionally, the game will allow students to experience, in practice, the ethical dilemmas inherent in politics and the exercise of power.

Detailed Project Description

Groups of 3 to 5 people should brainstorm, draw, and create a card game involving the concepts of Politics and Power. The game rules should allow players to experience situations involving strategic and ethical decision-making, negotiations, alliances, conflicts, and other situations that refer to the functioning of a society.

The game should follow some premises:

• Each card should represent a role in society (government, opposition, companies, media, social movements, etc.) or an event (elections, protests, economic crises, etc.)
• Players should have the possibility to gain or lose power and influence during the game, depending on the decisions they make.
• The rules should encourage cooperation and negotiation among players, but also allow competition and conflict.

Required Materials

• Paper and colored pens for creating the cards.
• Internet access for researching references, rules, and instructions for card games.
• Materials to customize the game board, if the group decides to create one.

Step-by-Step Guide for the Activity

1. Study of Concepts: Start by studying the concepts of politics and power, using the recommended resources and others you find relevant.
2. Ideas Brainstorming: In your group, discuss and write down initial ideas for the game. Which roles and events could be represented on the cards? What would be the rules?
3. Card Drawing: Using paper and pens, draw the game cards. Try to be as creative as possible, and remember that the illustrations should help understand the role or event the card represents.
4. Creation of Rules: Define the game rules. How are the cards used? How do you gain or lose power? How do you win the game?
5. Game Testing: Play one or more rounds of the game, making rule adjustments if necessary.
6. Report Preparation: Write a report detailing the game creation, the rules, the games played, and the reflections that arose from the activity. Remember to include images of the cards and the game in action.

Project Delivery

At the conclusion of the project, each group must deliver the created card game, along with a written report containing:

1. Introduction: Provide context for the theme, its relevance and real-world application, as well as the objective of this project.
2. Development: Explain the theory behind the project's central theme, describe the game creation process, the established rules, and the group's reflection on the games played.
3. Conclusion: Summarize the main points, state the learnings obtained, and draw conclusions about the project.
4. Bibliography: Indicate the sources you used to work on the project such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

It is expected that, through the game development and report writing, students can experience in practice some of the dilemmas inherent in power and politics, as well as develop socio-emotional skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, creative thinking, proactivity, among others.