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Resolved:Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization.  Follow the controversy in New York

Our September-October 2009 release on testing is available here.  It can be purchased individually ($25) and is included with the L-D subscription.

Resolved: Public high school students in the United States ought not be required to pass standardized exit exams to graduate.

A. Resolved: Governments have an obligation to pursue and disclose the truth regarding suspected crimes by previous  administrations

Research links

B. Resolved: In the United States, the principle of jury nullification is a just check on government

Research links

C. Resolved: Public health concerns warrant government violation of pharmaceutical patents

Research links

Previous Africa topic research links

D. Resolved: It is just for highly indebted poor countries to repudiate their debt

Research links

E. Resolved: Economic sanctions ought not be used to achieve foreign policy objectives

Research links   Cuba specific research links

F. Resolved: A just government ought to guarantee adequate housing for all of its citizens

Planet Debate housing files  Research links

G. Resolved: Records of an individual’s home Internet use ought to be protected from unreasonable search and seizure by the government

Research links

H. Resolved: States ought not possess nuclear weapons

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Research links

I. Resolved: Public health concerns justify compulsory immunization

Research links

J. Resolved: Compulsory inclusion of non‐felons’ DNA in any government database is unjust

Research links

L-D: Resolved: Military conscription is unjust.

Resolved: Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law.

2008-9

<sub>September-October

Resolved: It is morally permissible to kill one innocent person to save the lives of more innocent people. [Free NFL analysis and lesson plans]</sub>

November-December

Resolved: In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote.

January-February

Resolved: The United States ought to submit to the jurisdiction of an international court designed to prosecute crimes against humanity. [Free NFL Analysis and Lesson Plans]

March-April

Resolved: Vigilantism is justified when the government has failed to enforce the law. [Free NFL Analysis and Lesson Plans]

2007-2008

September-October

Resolved: A just society ought not use the death penalty as a form of punishment.

November-December

Resolved: In the United States, plea bargaining in exchange for testimony is unjust. [Free NFL Analysis and Lesson Plans]

January-February

Resolved: It is just for the United States to use military force to prevent the acquisition of nuclear weapons by nations that pose a military threat. [Free NFL Analysis and Lesson Plans]

March-April

Resolved: Hate crime enhancements are unjust in the United States.

National Tournament Topic

Resolved: Limiting economic inequality ought to be a more important social goal than maximizing economic freedom.

National Tournament Topic

Resolved: On balance, violent revolution is a just response to political oppression.

2006-7

September-October

Resolved: A just government should provide health care to its citizens.

November-December

Resolved: A victim’s deliberate use of deadly force is a just response to repeated
domestic violence.

January-February

Resolved: The actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals.

March-April

Resolved: The United Nations's obligation to protect global human rights ought to be valued above its obligation to respect national sovereignty.

2005-2006

September-October

Resolved: In matters of U. S. immigration policy, restrictions on the rights of non-citizens are consistent with democratic ideals.

November-December

Resolved: Judicial activism is necessary to protect the rights of American citizens.

January – February

Resolved: The use of the state’s power of eminent domain to promote private enterprise is unjust.

March – April 2006

Resolved: Juveniles charged with violent crimes should be tried and punished as adults.

National Topic

In matters of collecting military intelligence, the ends justify the means.

2004-5

September - October

Resolved: Individual claims of privacy ought to be valued above competing claims of societal welfare.

November - December

Resolved: The United States has a moral obligation to promote democratic ideals in other nations.

January - February

Resolved: Democracy is best served by strict separation of church and state.

March - April

Resolved: To better protect civil liberties, community standards ought to take precedence over conflicting national standards.

National Tournament

Resolved: The pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be constrained by concern for societal good.

2003-2004

September - October

Resolved: In the U.S. judicial system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over
privileged communication.

November - December

Resolved: The United States has a moral obligation to mitigate international conflicts.

January - February

Resolved: A government’s obligation to protect the environment ought to take
precedence over its obligation to promote economic development.

March - April

Resolved: As a general principle, individuals have an obligation to value the common good above their own interests.

National Tournament

Resolved: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.

2002-2003

September - October

Resolved: When the United States is engaged in military conflict, the demands of
national security ought to supercede conflicting claims of individual rights.

November - December

Resolved: When in conflict, academic freedom in U.S. high schools ought to be valued above community standards.

January - February

Resolved: When in conflict, globalization ought to be valued above national sovereignty.

March - April

Resolved: When in conflict, the letter of the law ought to take priority over the spirit of the law.

National Tournament

Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above punishment in the U. S. criminal
justice system.

2001-2002

September - October

Resolved: Decentralized governmental power ought to be a fundamental goal of
democratic society.

November - December

Resolved: A lesser developed nation’s right to develop ought to take priority over its obligation to protect the environment.

January - February

Resolved: Oppressive government is more desirable than no government.

March - April

Resolved: Limiting the freedom of expression of adults is justified by society’s interest in protecting children.

National Tournament

Resolved: Laws which protect citizens from themselves are justified.

2000-2001

September - October

Resolved: Colleges and Universities have a moral obligation to prohibit the public
expression of hate speech on their campuses.

November - December

Resolved: Establishing a safe educational environment in grades K - 12 justifies
infringement of students’ civil liberties.

January - February

Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.

March - April

Resolved: The public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office.

National Tournament

Resolved: On balance, violent revolution is a just response to oppression.

1999 - 2000

September - October

Resolved: When they conflict, respect for cultural sensitivity ought to be valued above commercial use of free speech.

November - December

Resolved: The use of economic sanctions to achieve U.S. Foreign policy goals is moral.

January - February

Resolved: Violent juvenile offenders ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.

March - April

Resolved: The intervention of one nation in the domestic affairs of another nation is morally justified.

National Tournament

Resolved: Inaction in the face of injustice makes an individual morally culpable.

1998 - 1999

September - October

Resolved: That the individual ought to value the sanctity of life above the quality of life.

November - December

Resolved: Capital punishment is justified.

January - February

Resolved: In the United States, a journalist’s right to shield confidential sources ought to be protected by the First Amendment.

March - April

Resolved: Human genetic engineering is morally justified.

National Tournament

Resolved: Capitalism is superior to socialism as a means of achieving economic justice.

1997 - 1998

September - October

Resolved: Global concerns ought to be valued above conflicting national concerns.

November - December

Resolved: An adolescent’s right to privacy ought to be valued above a parent’s
conflicting right to know.

January - February

Resolved: A just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.

March - April

Resolved: Civil disobedience is justified in a democracy.

National Tournament

Resolved: In the United States’ justice system, due process ought to be valued above the pursuit of truth when they are in conflict.

1996 - 1997

September - October

Resolved: When in conflict, society’s goal of eliminating discrimination ought to
transcend an individual’s right to participate in exclusive, voluntary associations.

November - December

Resolved: When in conflict, a business’ responsibility to itself ought to be valued above its responsibility to society.

January - February

Resolved: In United States policy, the principle of universal human rights ought to take precedence over conflicting national interest.

March - April

Resolved: On balance, individuals ought to have a greater obligation to themselves than to their community.

National Tournament

Resolved: The public’s right to know is of greater value than the individual’s right to
privacy.

1995 - 1996

September - October

Resolved: That individuals with disabilities ought to be afforded the same athletic
competition opportunities as able-bodied athletes.

November - December

Resolved: The pursuit of feminist ideals is detrimental to the achievement of gender equality.

January - February

Resolved: An oppressive government is more desirable than no government.

March - April

Resolved: When in conflict, American cultural unity ought to be valued above cultural diversity.

National Tournament

Resolved: That limiting constitutional freedoms is a just response to terrorism in the United States.

1994 - 1995

September - October

Resolved: An individual’s freedom of expression is of greater value than political
correctness.

November - December

Resolved: When in conflict, community standards are of greater value than individual liberty.

January - February

Resolved: Laws which protect citizens from themselves are justified.

March - April

Resolved: On balance, institutional censorship of academic material is harmful to the educational development of students.

National Tournament

Resolved: When in conflict, the safety of others is of greater value than the right to privacy of those with infectious diseases.

1993 - 1994

September - October

Resolved: That Secondary education in the United States ought to be a privilege, not a right.

November - December

Resolved: The public’s right to know is of greater value than the right to privacy of
candidates for public office.

January - February

Resolved: When called upon by one’s government, individuals are morally obligated to risk their lives for their country.

March - April

Resolved: Terminally ill patients have the right to die when and how they choose.

National Tournament

Resolved: When in conflict, protection of the innocent is of greater value than
prosecution of the guilty.

1992 - 1993

September - October

Resolved: That U.S. Military interference in the internal affairs of other countries is
justified.

November - December

Resolved: In the criminal justice system, truth seeking ought to take precedence over privilege communication.

January - February

Resolved: When in conflict the spirit of the law ought to take priority over the letter of the law.

March - April

Resolved: The principle of majority rule ought to be valued above the principle of
minority rights.

National Tournament

Resolved: The protection of domestic order justifies the curtailment of First Amendment Rights.

1991 - 1992

September - October

Resolved: A liberal arts curriculum is preferable to an employment-readiness curriculum in U.S. secondary schools.

November - December

Resolved: Human genetic engineering is morally justified.

January - February

Resolved: A victim’s deliberate use of deadly force is justified as a response to physical abuse.

March - April

Resolved: The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral

National Tournament

Resolved: The United States Government ought to provide for the medical care of its citizens.

1990 - 1991

September - October

Resolved: That competition is superior to cooperation as a means of achieving
excellence.

November - December

Resolved: That government limits on the individual’s right to bear arms in the United States are justified.

January - February

Resolved: That showing disrespect for the American Flag is antithetical to fundamental American values.

March - April

Resolved: That the pursuit of scientific knowledge ought to be limited by a concern for societal good.

National Tournament

Resolved: That members of the United States Congress ought to value the national
interest above constituent’s interests when the two are in conflict.

1989 - 1990

September-October

missing

November - December

Resolved: That all United States citizens ought to preform a period of national service.

January - February

Resolved: That communities in the United States ought to have the right to suppress pornography.

March - April

Resolved: That development of natural resources ought to be valued above protection of the environment.

National Tournament

Resolved: That individual obedience to law plays a greater role in maintaining ethical public service than does individual obedience to conscience.

1988 - 1989

March - April

Resolved: That the public’s right to know ought to be valued above U.S. National
Security interests.

National Tournament

Resolved: That the American criminal justice system ought to place a higher priority on retribution than on rehabilitation.

1988 - 1989

September - October

Resolved: That the individual ought to value the sanctity of life above the quality of life.

November - December

Resolved: That affirmative action programs to remedy the effects of discrimination are justified.

January - February

Resolved: That limitations upon the content of student publications by secondary school administrators are justified.

1987 - 1988

September - October - November

Resolved: That the protection of public safety justifies random, mandatory drug testing throughout society.

December - January - February

Resolved: That the protection of society’s health interests through broad based mandatory testing for AIDS ought to be more important than personal privacy rights.

March - April - May

Resolved: That when they are in conflict, the principle of privileged communication
ought to be subordinate to the maintenance of Law and Order.

National Tournament

Resolved: That violent revolution is a just response to oppression.

1986-1987

November - December

Resolved: An unjust government is better than no government at all.

January - February

Resolved: That decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court in criminal cases ought to reflect the values of the American people.

March - April

Resolved: A Parliamentary system of government would better fulfill the values
underlying the American Constitution.

National Tournament

Resolved: When they are in conflict, the right to a free press is a higher priority than the right to a fair trial.

1985 - 1986

September - October

Resolved: The use of sanctions to achieve U.S. foreign policy goals ought to be immoral.

November - December

Resolved: The brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations.

January - February

Resolved: That the restriction of Civil Liberties in the U.S. for the sake of combating terrorism is justified.

March - April

Resolved: That allowing innocent people to be harmed is preferable rather than giving into terrorists’ demands.

National Tournament

Resolved: Giving Sanctuary to Illegal Refugees in the United States justifiably places moral law above positive law.

1984 - 1985

January - February

Resolved: Nothing is politically right that is morally wrong.

March - April

Resolved: A just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.

National Tournament

Resolved: The American media works against the best interest of the American Public.

1983 - 1984

January - February

Resolved: Even in a democratic society morality can be legislated.

March - April

Resolved: Civil disobedience is justified in a democracy.

National Tournament

Resolved: That uniformity in education leads to mediocrity.

1982 - 1983

January - February

Resolved: That funding for human services programs should take precedence over the development of natural resources.

March - April

Resolved: That protection of the environment should take precedence over the
development of natural resources.

National Tournament

Resolved: Liberty is more precious than law.

1981 - 1982

January - February

Resolved: That the rights of the victim should take precedence over the rights of the accused in felony cases.

March - April

Resolved: That it is undesirable to expend societal resources on the enforcement of laws against victimless crimes.

National Tournament

Resolved: That the economic health of a nation is more important than social programs for its citizens.

1980 - 1981

January - February

Resolved: That it is morally unjustifiable to require an individual to join a labor
organization as a condition of employment.

March - April

Resolved: That military conscription is a superior alternative to a voluntary army.

National Tournament

Resolved: That the protection of human rights should have a higher priority in shaping America’s foreign policy.

1979 - 1980

National Tournament

Resolved: The strengths of the present methods of funding the social security system outweighs the weaknesses.