Question

STEPS

• Narrate the following imaginary situation of four villages settled on the banks of a river.
  Kotabagh, Gewali, Kandali and Goppa are villages adjoining each other beside a river. People in Kotabagh were the first settlers on the riverbank. They had an uninterrupted access to abundant natural resources available in the region. Gradually, people from different regions started coming to this region because of the abundant natural resources and water. Now there are four villages. With time the population of these villages expanded. But resources did not expand. Each village started making claims over natural resources including the boundary of their respective settlement. Inhabitants of Kotabagh argued for a greater share in natural resources, as they were the first settlers. Settlers of Kandali and Gewali said that as they have bigger populations than the others they both need a greater share. The people of Goppa said as they are used to an extravagant life they need a bigger share, though their population is smaller in size. All four villages disagreed with each other’s demands and continued to use the resources as they wished. This led to frequent clashes among the villagers. Gradually, everybody felt disgusted with the state of affairs and lost their peace of mind. Now they all wish to live the way they had lived earlier. But they do not know how to go back to that golden age.
• Make a brief note describing the characteristics of each village - the description should reflect the actual nature of present-day nations.
• Divide the classroom into four groups. Each group is to represent a village. Hand over the village notes to the respective groups.
• The teacher is to allot a time (15 minutes) for group discussions on how to go back to the golden age. Each should develop its own strategy.
  All groups are to negotiate freely among themselves as village representatives, to arrive at a solution (within 20 minutes). Each would put forth its arguments and counter arguments. The result could be: an amicable agreement accommodating the demands of all, which seldom happens; or, the entire negotiation/discussion ends without achieving the purpose.

Ideas for the Teacher

• Link the villages to nations and connect to the problems of security (threat to geographical territory/access to natural resources/insurgency, and so on).
• Talk about the observations made during the negotiation and explain how similarly the nations behave while negotiating on related issues.
• The activity could be concluded by making reference to some of the current security issues between and among nations.

Answer 1

The Narrative: The Tragedy of the Riverbank

Four neighbouring villages, Kotabagh, Gewali, Kandali, and Goppa, settled along a fertile riverbank rich in natural resources. As time passed, their populations boomed, but the resources remained limited, sparking bitter conflicts over water and land boundaries. Kotabagh demanded the most as the first historical settlers, Gewali and Kandali claimed the largest share to feed their massive populations, and Goppa insisted on a larger portion to sustain its extravagant lifestyle. Because they refused to compromise and aggressively grabbed resources as they pleased, violent clashes broke out, destroying the environment and stealing everyone’s peace of mind. Now, trapped in mutual distrust, they desperately long for their lost “golden age” of harmony but have no idea how to cooperate to get it back.

Briefing Notes: The Four Villages

Village 1: Kotabagh (The “Historical Hegemon”)

• Real-World Equivalent: Old Western Colonial Powers/Historically Dominant Nations
• Characteristics: They hold an entitlement complex based on history. They possess the best geographic location (upstream) and culturally dominate the valley’s history.
• Core Argument: “We built the foundation of this valley. Historical continuity and ancestral property rights dictate that our access must not be compromised by latecomers.”
• Actual Nature of Nations: Reflects states that invoke historical treaties, legacy rights, or colonial-era boundaries to claim disproportionate control over global commons or disputed territories today.

Village 2: Gewali (The “Global South Giant”)

• Real-World Equivalent: Developing Giants/Highly Populated Nations (e.g., India)
• Characteristics: High population density, rapidly growing resource demands, and a highly vulnerable lower-income demographic. They face immense domestic pressure to feed their people.
• Core Argument: “Human lives matter more than historical legacy. Resource distribution must be calculated per capita. We have the most mouths to feed, so we legally require the most water and land.”
• Actual Nature of Nations: Reflects developing nations arguing for “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” (CBDR), prioritizing poverty eradication and basic human survival over historical resource distribution models.

Village 3: Kandali (The “Emerging Challenger”)

• Real-World Equivalent: Rapidly Industrializing/Assertive Powers (e.g., China)
• Characteristics: Large population combined with a highly aggressive, rapidly expanding infrastructure. They share a tight, volatile border with Gewali and are highly competitive.
• Core Argument: “Might and numbers define survival. We will not be constrained by Kotabagh’s old rules or Gewali’s complaints. We will secure our borders and resources through tactical force if necessary.”
• Actual Nature of Nations: Reflects assertive regional powers that rapidly maximize their military and economic footprint to unilaterally secure resource supply chains and establish fresh geopolitical boundaries.

Village 4: Goppa (The “Resource-Intense Global Elite”)

• Real-World Equivalent: Developed, Consumptive Superpowers (e.g., US/Gulf States)
• Characteristics: Small, highly affluent population. They possess advanced technology and enjoy an extravagant, high-energy-consuming lifestyle that requires massive raw material inputs.
• Core Argument: “Our economy and lifestyle cannot be downgraded. We require a massive share of resources to fuel our advanced tools, which ultimately benefit the whole valley through trade.”
• Actual Nature of Nations: Reflects highly developed countries with small populations that disproportionately consume the world’s oil, gas, and consumer goods, refusing to compromise their high standards of living for global equity.

Classroom Simulation Timeline

• Step 1: Briefing & Division (5 Minutes): Divide the class into four equal groups representing the villages. Distribute the respective Briefing Notes.
• Step 2: Strategy Development (15 Minutes): Groups discuss internally. They must formulate a strategy to return to the “golden age” without compromising their village’s core survival needs.
• Step 3: Open Negotiations (20 Minutes): Village representatives meet in the center of the room. They debate, offer alliances, make trade-offs, or issue warnings to reach an amicable valley-wide treaty.