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12.2.2.2 Case of Policymaking

In the case of simulation focusing on policy issues, there is a pragmatic, moral and
now sometimes legal need to involve stakeholders, which may lead to open the black
box of models of social complexity used in policymaking. Post-normal approaches
aim at making the decision process and its tools explicit so that stakeholders can
better discuss it and appropriate its outcomes. When this decision process involves
the use of decision support tools, which might include social simulation models,
this means that the models themselves should be opened to stakeholders (Funtowicz
et al. 1999). A simulation model is then expected to be explicit enough so that
stakeholders who might be concerned by the implementation of the policy at stake
could discuss it. This legitimisation is socially based, while validation, as mentioned
with the previous case of use, is scientifically based (Landry et al. 1996). Even
though validation is still required in this case of use, because it is the mode of
evaluation for some participants, it is rather the legitimisation of the model by the
stakeholders which is to be worked out.
Participatory approaches may be a means for opening these models to stakehold-
ers, provided that formats of communication of models’ assumptions and structure
can be genuinely discussed. Involvement of stakeholders is expected to raise their
awareness of the assumptions of the model and potentially able to discuss these and
modify them. This includes the evolution of underlying values and choices made in
the design of model.

12.2.3 Simulation as a Means to Support Participation

Social simulation might also benefit to participation. While the previous subsection
was dedicated to appropriateness between the model and its use as a group decision
support tool, we focus here on participation which might be a component of a
decision-making process.
Social simulation is seen here as an opportunity to foster participation and cope
with some of its pitfalls (Eversole 2003). The use of simulation models may lead to
some outcomes such as community building or social learning.

12.2.3.1 Dynamics and Uncertainties

Social systems have to deal with uncertainties just as social simulation models do.
This might hamper participatory processes: in wicked problems (Rittel and Webber
1973), encountered in many situations where participatory processes are organised,
stakeholders always maintain the opportunity related to these uncertainties to
challenge others’ viewpoints or observations. As an example, origin, flow and