A Reconstruction of Oliver Benson's 'Simple Diplomatic Game'.

摘要

With advances in hardware and software,it has become possible to reconstruct previously uncirculated computer simulation programs for the purpose of examining the advantages and disadvantages inherent in these simulations and which might be expected of computer simulation methodology in general. Advantages which are sometimes claimed for computer simulations include the extent to which the simulation (1) requires unambiguous statement of hypotheses; (2) elaborates the consequences of implicit and explicit assumptions;and (3) facilitates the compounding of propositions,thereby permitting consideration of interactive effects among variables. Oliver Benson's 'Simple Diplomatic Game' (Benson, 1961) is treated as an early case study of an all-computer simulation of international relations. A working version of this simulation,implemented on time-sharing equipment,is presented for examination. Technical differences between the original and the present versions are discussed,together with the operational characteristics of the present model and various aspects of its implementation. Advantages and disadvantages of all-computer simulation are discussed on the basis of the author's experience in reconstructing the Benson simulation from published accounts.