Final Debates--Topic Review #1

As you prepare for your final debates this week, you will need to understand the three possible topics for the debates. Remember you will draw one of the three topics, another person will select affirmative or negative, then both have five minutes to prepare to compete.

1. Extremism in defense of liberty is justified...This is an offshoot of a famous quote from Vice-Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater ("Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice."). I changed the last phrase for better understanding of the resolution. The United States has a history of "extreme" measures taken by the government during crisis. During the Civil War, the federal government ignored civil rights at times when it detained people who opposed the war effort, closed newspapers that published stories critical of the government, and even ignored the rulings of the Supreme Court. Some would say the actions of Gov. Oliver P. Morton of Indiana during the Civil War is a prime example supporting the resolution. Gov. Morton basically ruled Indiana as a dictator during the majority of the war (He did not allow the Indiana General Assembly to meet during the war.) Other examples include the relocation of Japanese-Americans during WW II and the Bush administration's approval of torture to obtain information about Islamic terrorism activities this decade. All these events support the ideal, "The ends justifies the means."

Those opposing the resolution can argue liberty is destroyed by the very acts of suppressing individual rights. When a government violates its own laws for the "greater good," then individual have little to no protection from an extremist government and liberty is destroyed. The relocation of Japanese-Americans (including the loss of businesses, homes, and property) or America's long history of ignoring treaty agreements with Native Americans and ensuing genocide are prime examples of the impact of extremism. Even in wartime, America has followed some form of legal rights at times as seen during the Nuremburg and Tokyo Tribunals following WW II. In philosophy, one sees a classic "social contract" position and "individual rights" as opposing the resolution.

Hopefully this will assist you in your efforts to further analyze and research this resolution.