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Debate Resolutions of the Past

Dec 4, 2023
2 min read

2022-2023

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its policy towards one or more countries in Europe.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Criminal justice ought to prioritize rehabilitation over retribution, restitution or deterrence.

2021-2022

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform the use of Artificial Intelligence technology.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: In the field of biomedical engineering, restraint ought to be prioritized over scientific advancement.

2020-2021

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States Federal Government should considerably decrease its military commitments.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Economic stability is more important than economic growth.

2019-2020

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its banking, finance, and/or monetary policy.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Culture ought to value assimilation over multiculturalism.

2018-2019

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its foreign aid.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: In criminal procedure, truth-seeking ought to be valued above individual privacy.

2017-2018

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its transportation policy.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Preemptive warfare is morally justified.

2016-2017

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its agriculture and/or food safety policy in the United States.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: The needs of the public ought to be valued above private property rights.

2015-2016

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its trade policy with one or more of the following nations: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: In formal education liberal arts ought to be valued above practical skills. (from October 1, 2015, to January 30, 2016)

Resolved: Developing countries ought to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. (from February 1, 2016, to April 30, 2016)

2014-2015

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its electronic surveillance law.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: When in conflict, an individual's freedom of speech should be valued above a community's moral standards. (from October 1, 2014, to January 30, 2015)

Resolved: The United States federal jurisprudence, the letter of the law ought to have priority over the spirit of the law. (from February 1, 2015, to April 30, 2015)

2013-2014

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its marine natural resource policies.

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

2012-2013

Team Policy: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reform its foreign military presence and/or foreign military commitments.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: Privacy is undervalued.

2011-2012

Team Policy: Resolved: That the United States federal government should substantially reform its revenue generation policies.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: When in conflict, personal freedom ought to be valued above economic security.

2010-2011

Team Policy: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly reform its policy toward Russia.

Lincoln-Douglas: Resolved: A government's legitimacy is determined more by its respect for popular sovereignty than individual rights.

2009-2010

Team Policy: Resolved: That the United States Federal Government should significantly reform its environmental policy.

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

22 Comments


Twyla Hurley
5 days ago

Looking back at debate resolutions from the past can offer valuable insights into how ideas, perspectives, and important discussions have evolved over time. It’s interesting to see how different viewpoints have shaped meaningful conversations. Similarly, effective SEO services can help organizations communicate their message and reach a wider audience online.

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Jennifer White
5 days ago

This is an interesting look at debate resolutions from the past and how different topics have shaped thoughtful discussions over time. Reviewing earlier debates can provide valuable insight into changing perspectives and the importance of strong arguments. In today’s technology-driven world, AI software development companies can also create tools that support learning, communication, and knowledge sharing.

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donaldb291rown
Aug 27

This is a fantastic reference archive of past NCFCA resolution trends, highlighting how Team Policy consistently targets heavy domestic levers and foreign intervention while Lincoln-Douglas zeroes in on core philosophical trade-offs like individual rights versus governance. Having these resolutions mapped out so clearly—including the split-season LD topics—is an invaluable resource for debaters analyzing topic rotations or digging through legacy evidence.

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when
Aug 26

It’s interesting to see how old debate resolutions still reflect the issues people cared about at the time, even if the wording feels dated now. Reading through them gave me a few bubble word jam ideas because every topic sparks a different perspective.

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danny yao
Aug 25

It’s really interesting to look back at how these debate topics have evolved—especially the shift toward AI and biomedical ethics. Thanks for putting this archive together!

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