Beyond the Classroom: The MUN Experience in the Russian Far East and its Influence on Satisfaction with Democracy

Abstract

In the teaching of political ideas, Model United Nations (MUN) simulations in the classroom have been valued as a method to experience the democratic process. But, several studies have also noted that the extent of the experience is limited and often unrealistic, if not a distraction. This paper presents the results from an observational study whereby a MUN program in the Russian Far East served as the quasi-treatment effect. Members of an existing MUN program were surveyed for their political beliefs and attitudes to be compared to two other groups: one group who only attended an informational meeting about MUN and a second randomly selected group with no exposure to MUN. All three were given identical surveys. The initial results demonstrate a profound treatment effect. Unlike the control group who varied greatly in beliefs and attitudes about democracy in Russia, the MUN students seem to be less extreme in opinions and generally more satisfied with democracy in Russia. The salient implication taken from this study is that the ideals of democracy are internalized effectively when its principles are learned, practiced, and then shared from the bottom up.