Donkeys are the workhorse of the equine world.
Yeah, I’m aware that really doesn’t make any sense but, sometimes, a pun is as good as a groan.
Much to the distaste of racists around the world, like humans themselves donkeys originated in Africa. They tend to be used, in much of the world, as pack animals. Indeed, they are often abused, forced to carry heavier loads than they can comfortably handle. In the UK, there are charities that seek to help abused donkeys.
Donkeys come up a fair amount in children’s fiction. There’s Eeyore, of course, who needs counselling. And then there’s Donkey from Shrek, who represents one of those people who just won’t shut up and let you work.
Another name for a donkey is ‘ass’. But we’re staying away from that subject. We’ll exit only from there, thanks.
The Diplomacy ‘Dead Donkey’
One characteristic that is attributed to donkeys is stubbornness. And this is what a Dip Dead Donkey is all about: stubbornness… but in a very specific situation. I’ve been in two games in which this situation has occurred and I can tell you it’s an incredibly frustrating thing.
The game’s effectively ended. There are two conflicting sides. There might be two balanced alliances, or there might be a Grand Alliance (or Stop-the-Leader alliance) preventing one player soloing. Potentially, the game has reached a stalemate, with neither side being able to take an SC from the other, but it doesn’t have to be a real stalemate. Whatever, the game has reached deadlock.
In the first situation, with two opposing alliances of players, it may be that one or more players might break the alliance they’re in: they may be trying for a solo victory or to become top of the board (the player with the highest number of SCs), or they might want to work with the other alliance. However, this isn’t happening. In the second situation the situation is that the alliance is preventing a potential solo.
This break in the alliance isn’t happening, however. Why not? Perhaps to stab an ally would run the risk of the other side being able to gain enough advantage to wipe your alliance out, or it might allow the leader to get the extra SCs they need. It may lead to the alliance eliminating the stabber.
A draw is therefore proposed. However, the draw is voted down. Another draw proposal is raised and again voted down. This might go on for a few years, with nothing changing.
For how long does this go on? Hopefully, not long. But, while it does, with players recognising that the deadlock is in place, and that nothing will realistically change, frustration builds. In the Grand Alliance situation, it is usually the leader who is holding things up. They might be working on one of the allies, trying to make them break lines, or they might just be hoping someone will walk away from the game.
Whoever is preventing the draw being accepted is the Dead Donkey. The game is dead but, they’re trying to get some life from it. They’re being a stubborn, ignorant, joy-killing idiot. According to the rules of the game, there’s nothing wrong with what they’re doing. But just because something isn’t against the rules doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. Being a Dead Donkey adds nothing to the Hobby.
THE DIPLOMATICON 
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