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The “Guest Columnist” series was a spoof series I created using caricatures of politicians or commentators. Some will be well-known to everyone; some infamous in the UK. I’m sure you’ll be able to recognise most!

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Jeffrey Borryn

Diplomacy is a game that speaks to us of a past time. It is, of course, based on the events leading up to the greatest disaster humanity had seen up until that point. It was called the Great War, although other conflicts had been given this title before it. The truly sad thing about it is that we now call it the First World War.

The world is governed by pernicious forces. Religion, politics, rich individuals who utilise these forces for their own good. These forces work together to keep ordinary people, like you and I, under their control.

Diplomacy, and the Hobby around it, has a lot of similarities, and yet it doesn’t have to be this way. It is up to you, the players, to take back control, to overthrow the elite, to loosen and unwrap the fingers of the hand of evil that is strangling the potential of the players, and to place that control in safe hands.

The Hobby has, for decades, revelled in the lack of organisational oversight that is running it into the ground. It celebrates the individuals with the time and money and populist following who create events and tournaments, allegedly for the good of the players, of the Hobby community. But it is plainly not for the good of you and I. Look at what we can see around us.

The DBNI is a prime example of this. You can only play in this tournament if the controlling elite invites you to take part. This is clearly unequal. Why can’t I, someone who doesn’t involve themselves in any tournaments or leagues or other such frivolous pursuits, take part? They justify this elitism by introducing qualifying criteria. But these criteria eliminate anyone who doesn’t play competitive Diplomacy, and who hasn’t spent time playing in the DBNI’s nominated events. Why? To keep Diplomacy in the hands of the few.

Of course, the Hobby has its organisations. There is the NADF, for example. There are no elected members running this “Federation”. It is run by an elite that select their own to maintain control.  None of these organisations are democratic.  

At a time when we desperately need strong, central control to make Diplomacy and the Hobby strong, we have people and organisations who control their own little empires within the Hobby.

Zines are another example. Anyone can create a zine. But these people then run them as if they were their own projects. What do they give to the players? Nothing. They allow the self-appointed custodians of the Hobby to control information. Controlling information is what allows the elite to control the Hobby.

We need a movement of the players. We need people to stand up for their rights within the Hobby.  

I am calling for YOU to take control. Don’t participate in tournaments, leagues, conventions or events that are organised “for” you. Instead, demand that YOU control every aspect of the Hobby. Demand your rights.

I am calling for a World Council of Diplomacy that can take over the running of the Hobby. No more elitism. A WCD should be formed of elected community members. It should take over the fortunes that the existing organisations control. It should keep a careful watch over the elitist individuals who will resist this movement.

I will lead this revolution. I will fight for my rights and yours. I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you in your fight for freedom through control. We will share this burden in a communal effort of mighty proportions.

Only when we work together with people of a common aim can you place me in control of the Diplomacy Hobby and allow me to break the shackles of individual freedom. Sign-up to the World Council of Diplomacy here.

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First published in 34 #2, September 2023.

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POSTS IN THIS SERIES

1. “The Best Negotiator” by Ronald D Fayke
2. “Diplomacy for the Players” by Jeffrey Borryn
3. “Earn Your Own Victory” by Opal Winfree
4. “Sovereignty Within the UK Hobby” by Jacob Riche Nobb
5. “Power in Diplomacy” by Pimp Jung On