These past few months – the first for this 2024-2025 season of speech and debate – have been quite eventful and exciting, filled with many successes and room for improvement. Dozens of our students are participating in topic-based debate events such as Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas. Here is a brief rundown of the topics that have been explored and debated by them:
Public Forum: “Resolved: The United States should substantially reduce its military support of Taiwan.”
The November/December Public Forum topic critically examines the United States’ military support for Taiwan, a geographically and strategically sensitive issue involving U.S.-China relations. Students explore complex arguments about potential military escalation, diplomatic tensions, and regional stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Affirmative teams might argue that reducing military support could de-escalate tensions and prevent potential conflict, while negative teams contend that maintaining robust military assistance is crucial for deterring Chinese aggression and supporting democratic allies. Debaters must navigate intricate geopolitical nuances, analyzing historical precedents, strategic implications, and potential diplomatic consequences of changing military support levels.
Lincoln-Douglas: “Resolved: The United States ought to adopt a wealth tax.”
The Lincoln-Douglas debate topic centers on the potential implementation of a wealth tax in the United States, challenging students to examine economic justice, taxation philosophy, and income inequality. Affirmative teams typically argue that a wealth tax could reduce economic disparities, generate significant government revenue, and address systemic economic inequalities. Negative teams often counter by highlighting potential economic disruptions, constitutional challenges, and potential negative impacts on investment and economic growth. Students must deeply research economic theories, constitutional interpretations, and practical implementation challenges, developing sophisticated arguments about the role of taxation in addressing societal economic challenges.
Congress: Multiple topics that vary per tournament
The Congress team is currently grappling with a surge of bills inspired by President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, such as a proposal to dismantle the Department of Education. This trend is expected to subside within a month as Trump transitions into office. The team’s reaction has been largely negative, as these topics often lead to polarized debates with extreme viewpoints on both sides. This situation diminishes the quality of debates by reducing the opportunity for nuanced arguments and balanced perspectives. Students find it challenging to engage in meaningful discourse when faced with one-sided arguments or overly extreme positions, as it limits the development of critical thinking skills and the exploration of complex policy issues.
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