Ask Jim about Debate
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Breaking Down Barriers: Ask Jim about Debate |
You can submit questions too, just email Jim at hansonjb@whitman.edu
Good question. Inherency is an issue you debate. The affirmative team should show that the present system will not solve the problem(s) they cite or that the present system actually causes the problem(s) they cite. For example: The affirmative might argue that government and private medical insurance will not provide adequate health care for Americans. Another example: The affirmative might argue that the government's ban on the sale of marijuana causes the problems of unfairly jailing Americans, overcrowding prisons, and encouraging juveniles to hook up with criminals. The negative team should show that the present system will solve the problem(s) or that the present system does not cause the problem(s). So, the negative might argue that government and private insurance does provide adequate health care for Americans; and that the government ban on the sale of marijuana does not unfairly jail Americans, does not cause overcrowding, and does not encourage juveniles to hook up with criminals.
Inherency is not whether the plan will be passed or not--a common misconception. In describing what the present system is--the affirmative only needs to show what the policy is. The negative must show that the present system is not how the affirmative describes it or that congress has passed and the President has signed into law a new policy. Otherwise, the affirmative may indict the present policy-even if congress is considering a change.