Myth: America (aka 'murca) is always right.

By: Deven Desai 
DePaul University '12

Here is a scenario that I've frequently seen at various Model UN conferences in the past:
--Delegate representing the USA goes up to speak--
"The United States of America strongly opposes (enter resolution number here) for these reasons. We believe that the sanctity of democracy and global economic stimulation are not going to be met if this resolution passes. (and so on...)"
--Next unmoderated caucus an overwhelming amount of countries swoon to the US delegate in an effort to contest the speech-- 

This is what I call in the MUN world as a 'magnetic power play'. A majority of conferences (the good ones alteast) rate their delegates heavily based on three categories: persuasion, public speaking, and influence. The Dias of a committee keeps track of how many times a delegate has spoken; how eloquent their speeches were; how well their grab on the other delegates is. Additionally, keep in mind that during unmoderated caucuses, the dias members do go around to monitor and take notes on specific delegates that strike their attention.

That is where the 'magnetic power play' comes in. The US delegate was clearly experienced enough to know how to attract attention. The context of what the US said in his/her speech no longer matters. It matters what the Chair's perception of the US is. Imagine it for a second: 10-13 delegates surround one delegate, all asking questions. From afar, it seems the outnumber is clearly putting the US in the bad position. NOT...AT...ALL! The US in most cases, knows exactly what to do and fields every question or aviods the question with just enough wiggle room. 70% of the dish was cooked by the lesser experienced delegates, the US just needed to season it. 

When this happens, the US isn't right in their political or diplomatic values, but they know how the system works...very well haha. The best way to avoid this is to gather your own set of delegates, form a strategy to pull away the inexperienced delegates one by one from the US delegates quickly before the chair comes around. Do whatever needs to be done, convince a few of them to become sponsors on your resolution.

The US Delegate scenario I brought up is just an example. Any of this can be applied to other situations in various degrees.The point is to shift the polarity from the person who has the 'magnetic power play'. Shocked? lol

Welcome to politics. Welcome to diplomacy. This is how the Model UN universe works. Consensus building is an ideology that many conferences stress. The method to achieve consensus has no bearing on the ideology. Anything goes! The good ones know it and so should you.

Deven Desai has been involved in Model UN since his junior year of high school, and has won numerous awards at conferences across the United States. Deven is currently studying International Business and Information Systems at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, where he is the Director General of Public Relations for DePaul’s Model UN Team and a senior staff member for the 2010 Chicago International Model UN conference for high school students.