Strategic Mapping, Path Dependency
The Redistricting Map
The Redistricting Map is a Strategic Mapping and Path Dependency scenario. The core lesson: The rules of a game determine who wins it, and map-drawing is rule-making. You're on an independent redistricting commission drawing 10 congressional districts for your state after the census. The current map was drawn by the majority party and has 7 safe seats for that party despite a nearly even voter registration split. DecisionPlay maps the players, payoffs, and equilibrium dynamics that shape how this situation typically resolves.
The situation
You're on an independent redistricting commission drawing 10 congressional districts for your state after the census. The current map was drawn by the majority party and has 7 safe seats for that party despite a nearly even voter registration split. Your commission must draw a new map.
Background
Redistricting is where democracy gets made or broken. Gerrymandering, drawing district lines for partisan advantage, has been practiced by both parties for 200 years and has become mathematically sophisticated with modern data. 'Independent' commissions vary enormously in their actual independence. The criteria used to draw maps (compactness, competitiveness, community preservation, minority representation) each produce different outcomes and are each defensible on their own terms.
What this reveals
The hidden game of maps
Redistricting is rule-setting disguised as geography. The party that draws the map gets to choose which votes count toward winning. Every criterion is defensible in isolation; the choice among criteria determines who wins.
How to counter it: Before accepting any electoral outcome as 'what voters wanted,' ask who drew the map and what criteria they used. The rules of the game were not neutral.
A question to sit with
In your own state, who drew the current congressional district lines? What did they optimize for? How would you find out?
Frequently asked questions
- What game theory concept does The Redistricting Map illustrate?
- The Redistricting Map illustrates Strategic Mapping, Path Dependency. The rules of a game determine who wins it, and map-drawing is rule-making.
- What is the situation in The Redistricting Map?
- You're on an independent redistricting commission drawing 10 congressional districts for your state after the census. The current map was drawn by the majority party and has 7 safe seats for that party despite a nearly even voter registration split. Your commission must draw a new map.
- What does The Redistricting Map reveal about how people decide?
- The hidden game of maps. Redistricting is rule-setting disguised as geography. The party that draws the map gets to choose which votes count toward winning. Every criterion is defensible in isolation; the choice among criteria determines who wins.
- How do you avoid the trap in The Redistricting Map?
- Before accepting any electoral outcome as 'what voters wanted,' ask who drew the map and what criteria they used. The rules of the game were not neutral.
- What is the research behind The Redistricting Map?
- Redistricting is where democracy gets made or broken. Gerrymandering, drawing district lines for partisan advantage, has been practiced by both parties for 200 years and has become mathematically sophisticated with modern data. 'Independent' commissions vary enormously in their actual independence.
- How long does The Redistricting Map take to play?
- About 11 min, at core difficulty, across 4 decision points. It runs in your browser with no account and no sign-in.
Keep exploring
More Civic & Policy scenarios, or browse all scenarios. New to this? Start with how DecisionPlay works or the game theory glossary.
Topics: redistricting, gerrymandering, democracy, political-economy