Introduction to policy debates

Coming up with a Solution

VICTOR FINKEL: In the previous activity, we explained how to identify the problem with the status quo and how to powerfully articulate the problem.

The next step is identifying a solution to that problem. The solution, sometimes known as the ‘model’, is your team’s response to that problem.

So, how do you go about identifying the solution? Well, often the solution is obvious from the motion. For example, in the motion ‘That India should ban smoking’, the solution is for India ‘to ban smoking’. In the motion ‘That we should take radical action against climate change’, the solution is for us to ‘take radical action’.

Simple, right? Well, not so fast. Even though the motion may identify the solution in general terms, your job is to provide the specifics that make it work in practice. Let’s look at two ways in which the wording of the motion fails to provide sufficient detail for the solution.

The first is when the motion is vague as to the solution. So, let’s take the example we looked at before: ‘That we should take radical action against climate change’. The solution identified in the topic is that ‘we should take radical action’. But who is ‘we’? Are we talking about all countries, a particular country such as the United States, or the set of developed countries? And what does ‘radical action’ mean? Does that mean completely ending the use of fossil fuels in the next five years? Does that mean that every country has to reduce their total emissions by 50%? Does it mean that we should embrace nuclear power or solar power or wind power? Your job as the Proposition is to explain what taking radical action looks like in practice.

Let’s take another example: ‘That the United States should end the War on Terror’. In this case, we know that we are talking about the United States. But what is this ‘War on Terror’? Does that refer to the war in Afghanistan? Or the war in Iraq against ISIS? Or does it refer to the use of drone strikes to kill terrorists in countries like Pakistan? As the Proposition, you have the power to choose which of these options to focus on. But it’s crucial that you are specific about which option you have chosen.

The second situation in which it’s necessary to elaborate upon the solution identified is where the motion doesn’t outline the points of detail which actually dictate how it would work in practice. So, let’s look at the first, seemingly simple topic we looked at: ‘That India should ban smoking’. What does a ‘ban’ actually mean? Does it apply to all people, or only those under 18 years of age? Does it apply only in public places, or in all places? Should there be criminal penalties for failing to comply with a ban, or not? And what is meant by ‘smoking’? Does that refer to smoking of cigarettes, smoking of marijuana, smoking of loose tobacco? Or all of the above? It is the Proposition’s job to explain these points of detail.

Let’s look at a third example: ‘That the African Union should launch a military intervention against Boko Haram’. For those of you who haven’t heard of Boko Haram, they are a terrorist group based primarily in northern Nigeria. Here, the motion tells you that the solution is a ‘military intervention’. But you need to explain how this intervention would work. Would you send in troops on the ground? Or only launch air strikes? Are you attempting to capture Boko Haram leaders or kill as many as possible? Would you target Boko Haram only in Nigeria, or also in the neighbouring countries where they operate, like Chad and Cameroon?

Why do those choices matter? They matter because the decisions you make about how the intervention takes place will affect ultimately whether it’s a good or a bad idea.

In the remainder of this activity, we will teach you how to formulate a solution. For now though, let me give you a few essential tips:

First, define the terms in the motion that aren’t completely clear. For example, for the motion ‘That we should ban smoking’, you need to define who ‘we’ are, what is a ‘ban’ and what you mean by ‘smoking’. Once you define these three terms, your solution should be clear.

Second, ask some basic questions to help narrow down vague topics – like ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘why’. Let me show you how this can help you by returning to the debate about Boko Haram and military intervention: who – who is doing it (the African Union), what – what is a military intervention (perhaps air strikes), when – when will it happen (immediately), where – where will it happen (only at Boko Haram’s bases in Nigeria) and why – why will it happen (to destroy their ability to train recruits and make it harder for them to launch attacks).

My third tip is to know what’s going on in the world. The easiest way to develop a solution is to draw on examples where the policies you are proposing has been implemented. For example, if you are proposing legalising drugs, reading about how the Netherlands have done it is a great starting point. If you are proposing to invade Iran, you might want to consider the lessons of previous invasions, such as the war in Iraq, when deciding how your invasion would work. Obviously, it’s important to be careful when drawing upon other approaches, as they may not apply exactly the same way in the context you are debating. But it’s a very useful shortcut.

Fourth and finally, try pretending that this is a real situation and that you are the political leader proposing that policy, such as banning smoking or taking radical action against climate change. What are the points of detail that your electorate would want to know in deciding whether to support this policy? Obviously, you don’t have time in a debate to prepare a detailed piece of legislation, but you want to make sure that you cover the key features of what you are proposing.