2020-2021 Debate League Topics

 

MSPDP

 

• The United States should implement a Universal Basic Income. (Varsity Only)
• COVID vaccination should be mandatory .
• Social Media does more harm than good

 

HSPDP

 

• End deceptive police interrogation practices
• President Biden should pardon Edward Snowden
• United States military export arms sales do more good than harm.
• Animals should have standing to sue.

 

2018-2019

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Ban homework.
• Voting in federal elections should be mandatory.
• The United States should retaliate with military force against cyberattacks.
• Industrially developed countries have a responsibility to accept climate refugees.
• John Brown was morally justified.
• Legalize steroids in sports.
• DeBlasio’s specialized high school admittance plan would do more good than harm.
• Websites should be held responsible for user created data that they host.
• New York City should open supervised injection sites.
• The US should substantially increase funding for space exploration.
• Implement open borders.
• Ban animal dissection in schools.
• Art should be considered separately from the artist.
• Expand Social Security to provide an adequate retirement.
• The US President should serve a single 6-year term.
• Facial recognition technology does more harm than good.
• Eliminate farm subsidies!
• The First Amendment should not protect lying in campaigns and elections.

 

JERSEY SHORE DEBATE LEAGUE & GARDEN
STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Supreme Court Justices should be appointed for life.
• Elon Musk’s Underground Tunnel Transit System is good for America.
• The North Bergen Liberty Generating facility causes more harm than good.
• The United States of America should establish a Space Force.
• Police officers should wear body cameras.
• Ban homework.
• Social media is good for democracy.
• Banning plastic straws causes more harm than good.
• Lower the voting age to 16.
• Ban the sale of E-cigarettes.
• The US should not sell weapons to Saudi Arabia.
• College athletes should be paid.
• Tracking apps cause more harm than good.
• Election Day should be a Federal Holiday.
• The United States should not interfere in the domestic affairs of Venezuela.
• Electric cars cause more good than harm.
• New Jersey beaches should not be free to the public.

 

NATIONAL’S CAPITAL DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Social media is good for democracy.
• Make Washington, D.C. the 51st state.
• Banning plastic straws causes more harm than good.
• The U.S. Constitution allows the president to be indicted for an alleged crime.
• Police officers should wear body cameras.
• The Senate should be abolished.
• The DMV metro area should solve traffic primarily through mass transit.
• Homework does more harm than good.

 

2017-2018

EAST COAST CHAMPIONSHIP TOPICS

 

• Ban the practice of requiring job applicants to disclose their criminal history.
• The US should adopt a universal guaranteed annual income.
• Reptiles should not be kept as pets.
• Credit card companies should not process sales of firearms.
• The Olympic Games should include E-sports.
• A nuclear attack on North Korea should be “off the table.”

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Middle school students should wear uniforms.
• Puerto Rico should become an independent and sovereign state.
• Bill de Blasio is good for New York City.
• Talking on the phone is better than texting.
• New York City should ban single-use plastic bags.
• Abolish the penny.
• Americans should be required to provide one year of national service.
• Amazon is good for society.

 

JERSEY SHORE DEBATE LEAGUE & GARDEN
STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday.
• Later school start times cause more harm than good.
• Ending net neutrality is good for America.
• School uniforms do more good than harm.
• Catalonia should become an independent country.
• The federal government should NOT withhold funds for sanctuary cities.
• End PARCC testing in New Jersey.
• Amazon is good for society.
• Americans should be required to complete one year of national service.
• Banning Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics was the wrong decision.
• Virtual reality technology does more harm than good.
• Animal testing is unethical.
• The federal government should not withhold funds for sanctuary cities.

 

NATIONAL’S CAPITAL DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Ending net neutrality is good for America.
• Students should be allowed to film/record their instructors without permission.
• Expansion of section 8 vouchers does more good than harm.
• The federal government should withhold funds for sanctuary cities.
• Urban renewal programs benefit city residents.
• School uniforms benefit students.
• Gerrymandered Congressional districts do more good than harm.
• Cryptocurrencies do more good than ham.
• The current proposal for a mixed-use development should be built on the McMillian Sand Filtration Site in Washington, DC (debate both sides of this topic).

 

2016-2017

JERSEY SHORE DEBATE LEAGUE & GARDEN
STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• Build the Dakota Access Pipeline
• The US should not establish a colony on Mars.
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership is good for America
• Self-driving cars do more good than harm.
• Surveillance measures by the US government are warranted.
• Energy drinks cause more HARM than good. 
• The invention of gunpowder did more GOOD than harm.
• Ban killer robots!
• The United States should not abolish the Electoral College.
• Voter ID laws cause more good than harm.
• Hosting the Olympic games is worth the cost.
• Ban big game hunting.
• A free press is more important than national security.
• Zoos do more harm than good. 
• Ban alcohol advertising.
• Public colleges and universities should be tuition-free.

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• School uniforms should be mandatory in all K-8 schools.
• Globalization does more harm than good.
• The United States should provide undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship.
• Prohibit the privatization of water.
• Public schools should be permitted to hold religiously affiliated celebrations.
• Globalization does more harm than good.
• Pokemon Go does more good than harm.
• US should halt construction of new oil pipelines.
• Native Americans should have sovereign rights over natural resources found on their land.
• Restore Pluto’s planetary status!
• Congress should significantly increase the number of justices on the US Supreme Court.
• New York City should remain a sanctuary city.
• Gentrification does more harm than good.
• Provide free childcare to teenage parents.
• Ban advertisements for alcohol.

 

NATION’S CAPITAL DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS

 

• The government should regulate prescription drug prices.
• Public colleges and universities should be tuition free.
• The electoral college should be abolished.
• Abolish the penny.
• Western governments have a moral obligation to resettle refugees. 
• US Representatives and Senators should have term limits.
• The Affordable Care Act has done more good than harm.
• Self-driving cars are a public safety hazard.
• Moral obligations precede considerations of consequences.
• Schools should commence later in the day.
• Internet companies should regulate news sources on their sites.
• Labels should be required for GMO foods.
• The President’s executive order on immigration is unconstitutional.
• The Dakota Access Pipeline does more good than harm.
• The Metro should solve its budget shortfall through increased fares for riders.
• It is morally acceptable to experiment on animals for medical purposes.
• Polystyrene products should be banned.
• Activists should focus on policy changes over protests to achieve their goals.
• A Constitutional Convention will do more good than harm.
• NATO is not obsolete.

 

2015-2016

GARDEN STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• The US should adopt stricter gun control laws.
• All U.S. Presidential primaries should be held on the same day.
• Ban organized tackle football leagues for children under the age of 14.
• Sea World causes more harm than good.
• Abolish the penny.
• The Federal government has failed in rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
• European nations should be required to accept refugees from Africa and the Middle East.
• Cigarettes should be illegal.
• Hamilton should remain on the $10 bill.
• Texting does more harm than good.
• Daily fantasy sports should not be considered illegal gambling.
• No space explorations should be permitted without showing that it will not harm extraterrestrial microbial life. 
• Reality TV shows do more harm than good.
• Homework should be banned.
• The Paris Climate Accord is bad for the developing world.
• The United States should have more than two political parties.

 

JERSEY SHORE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• The 2nd Amendment should be repealed.
• Reality TV shows do more harm than good.
• All U.S. Presidential primaries should be held on the same day.
• Elite professional athletes are overpaid.
• Abolish the penny.
• The federal government has failed in rebuilding the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.
• European nations should be required to accept refugees from Syria. 
• New Jersey should end the bear hunt.
• Social media causes more harm than good.
• The voting age in the United States should be lowered to 16 years of age.
• Genetically modified foods cause more good than harm.
• The benefits of interscholastic sports for K-12 students in the U.S. outweigh the harms.
• The Paris Climate Accord is bad for the developing world.
• Alexander Hamilton should remain on the $10 bill.
• Video games cause more harm than good.
• No space explorations should be permitted without showing that it will not harm extraterrestrial microbial life. 

 

NATION’S CAPITAL DEBATE LEAGUE:

 

• US Supreme Court justices should have term limits.
• The discoverer of an abandoned shipwreck should have title to its artifacts.
• Illegal immigrant parents with legal US citizen children should not be deported.
• No space explorations should be permitted without showing that it will not harm extraterrestrial microbial life.
• Affirmative action should factor into admissions decisions for public universities.
• Arts education should be compulsory.
• Texting does more harm than good.
•  Ridesharingservicesshouldberegulated as taxis.

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• The US should establish a no-fly zone in Syria.
• The US should have compulsory voting in general elections.
• Schools should require cameras in classrooms. 
• Justice Antonin Scalia’s Supreme Court career did more good than harm.
• Scientists should use cloning technology to resurrect animals made extinct by humans.
• The US should adopt the metric system.
• Ban homework.
• Ban the public display of Confederate symbols.
• Tablets should replace textbooks in schools.
• Animal testing does more good than harm.
• Developed nations have a moral obligation to accept refugees.
• Legalize the sale of human organs.
• Halt trade with nations that practice child labor.
• No space explorations should be permitted without showing that it will not harm extraterrestrial microbial life.
• Ban Beauty Pageants.
• Developed nations have a moral obligation to accept refugees.
• The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change is bad for the developing world.
• Repeal the 2nd Amendment.
• Social media does more harm than good.

 

2014-2015

GARDEN STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• New Jersey’s red-light camera program should be extended.
• Lotteries cause more harm than good.
• Torture is justified for National security.
• China should allow Hong Kong to have democratic elections.
• Persons with a felony conviction should not be allowed to vote.
• College athletes should be paid.
• Factory farming does more harm than good.
• Massive online open courses (MOOCs) do more good than harm.
• The Common Core does more good than harm.
• Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday.
• Tablets should replace textbooks in schools.
• Ban single-use shopping bags.
• Disney movies cause more harm than good.
• Police officers should wear body cameras.
• South Jersey Gas should be allowed to build a pipeline through the Pinelands.
• Ban air travel from West Africa

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Community college should be free.
• The media should show the horrors of war.
• Abolish midterm elections.
• Internet users have a right to be forgotten.
• Uber does more harm than good.
• College athletes should be paid.
• Cultural treasures should be returned to their countries of origin. 
• Restore voting rights to ex-felons.
• Suspend MTA Fare Increases in NYC.
• Factory farming does more harm than good.  
• All middle schools should require uniforms.
• Wikipedia does more harm than good.
• Media Coverage of Ebola does more harm than good.
• Ban the use of digitally enhanced images of women in advertising.
• Police officers should wear body cameras.

 

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Domestic surveillance by NSA does more good than harm.
• NYC should establish universal pre-K.
• Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) do more good than harm.
• Colleges and universities should divest their fossil fuel company holdings. 
• The US War on Poverty is a failure. 
• All Middle Schools should require uniforms.
• US Public Schools should be in session year round.
• State mandated administration of childhood vaccines is justified.
• State lotteries do more harm than good.
• The US should have compulsory military service.
• New York should legalize physician assisted suicide.
• All states should adopt the Common Core.
• The United States should establish a living wage for its workers.
• Stand your ground laws do more harm than good.
• Ban tipping.
• Texting does more harm than good.
• The FDA should ban the domestic sale of foods that include GMO’s.
• Violence is a justified response to oppression.
• Youth contact sports do more harm than good.
• Remove smoking regulations on the use of e-cigarettes
• Ban unpaid internships.
• Abolish the penny.

 

BIG APPLE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Disney movies do more harm than good.
• NYC should establish universal Pre-K.
• Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) do more good than harm.
• The US should pardon Edward Snowden.
• US Public Schools should be in session year round.
• State mandated administration of childhood vaccines is justified.
• State lotteries do more harm than good.
• The US should have compulsory military service. 
• New York should legalize physician assisted suicide.
• All states should adopt the Common Core.
• The United States should establish a living wage for its workers.
• Stand your ground laws do more harm than good.
• Ban tipping.
• Texting does more harm than good.
• The FDA should ban the domestic sale of foods that include GMO’s
• Violence is a justified response to oppression.
• Youth contact sports do more harm than good.
• Remove smoking regulations on the use of e-cigarettes
• Ban unpaid internships.
• Abolish the penny.

 

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2012-13

GARDEN STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• The United States should establish a living wage for its workers.
• The US Postal Service should continue Saturday mail deliveries.
• Facebook causes more harm than good.
• Stop-and-frisk does more good than harm.
• Wrestling should not be an Olympic sport.
• The United States should not abolish the Electoral College.
• Voter ID laws cause more good than harm.
• Students should have 30 minutes of exercise every day in school.
• End Daylight Savings time.
• Bottled water causes more harm than good.
• Ban energy drinks.
• FEMA’s responsibilities should be handed over to the states.
• The caste system was good for Indian Society.
• Wikipedia does more good than harm.
• The United States should not expand drilling for oil off the East Coast.
• NJ drivers should be able to pump their own gas.
• Video games cause more harm than good.
• Students should not have to pay to participate in extra-curricular activities.
• The US should guarantee a free college education to all citizens.
• The Olympic Games do more good than harm.

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Facebook should not allow members under 18
• The Electoral College should be abolished
• New York City should not build sea barriers
• Ban plastic shopping bags
• The U.S. Space Program should be privatized
• Unisex middle schools are superior to co-ed middle schools.  
• Repeal the 16 oz. soda limit in New York City. 
• Handguns should be illegal. 
• US policy should favor stability over democracy in the Middle East.  
• The Obama administration should approve the Keystone pipeline. 
• The student body of the NYC public specialized high schools should reflect the demographics of New York City.
• Ban violent video games.
• Right to Work laws do more good than harm.
• Offshore drilling is good for the United States.
• The use of Predator drones should be subject to greater Congressional oversight.
• Immigration reform should include a path to citizenship.
• NYC should invest in additional bike lanes.
• The international community should ban nuclear-powered spacecraft.
• Stop-and-frisk does more good than harm.
• Wrestling should not be an Olympic sport.
• Human genome sequencing does more harm than good.
• Mayor Bloomberg is good for NYC.
• Ban Energy Drinks.
• The US Senate should abolish the filibuster.
• The FDA should increase the frequency with which they inspect meat.

 

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2011-12

GARDEN STATE DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Television is a bad influence.
• Homework does more harm than good.
• Chris Christie is good for New Jersey.
• The United States should significantly expand its use of nuclear power.
• NATO should withdraw from Afghanistan.
• Schools should be peanut free.
• New Jersey’s bullying laws do more harm than good.
• The United States should increase its use of solar power.
• The European Union should drop the euro.
• The Occupy Wall Street movement is good for America.
• 16 year olds should be allowed to vote.
• School uniforms do more good than harm.
• New Jersey should end the bear hunt.
• Close the Guantanamo Bay prison.
• Soccer players should be required to wear helmets.
• Tax increases are good for America.
• New Jersey beaches should not be free to the public.
• There should be year-round schooling for students.
• The United States should not send humans into space.
• Abolish the penny.
• Standardized testing causes more harm than good.
• Animal testing is unethical.
• Military service should be mandatory in the United States.
• Eliminate the designated hitter in professional baseball.

 

NEW YORK DEBATE LEAGUE TOPICS:

 

• Television is a bad influence.
• Homework does more harm than good.
• Andrew Cuomo is good for New York.
• The United States should significantly expand its use of nuclear power.
• NATO should withdraw from Afghanistan.
• Occupy Wall Street!
• Schools should be peanut free.
• The European Union should drop the Euro.
• Hydrofracking does more harm than good.
• The US should lower the voting age to 16. 
• School uniforms do more good than harm.
• Soccer players should be required to wear helmets.
• NYC should adopt congestion pricing for vehicles traveling in Manhattan’s central business district.
• The US should substantially restrict corporate campaign contributions.
• Close the Guantanamo Bay prison.
• States should require drug tests to receive welfare benefits.
• Tax increases are good for America.Teacher evaluations should not be made public.
• The US should establish a national DNA database of all residents.
• The Endangered Species Act should no longer include exemptions for subsistence or traditional use.
• The government should restrict free speech during national emergencies. 

Alice Uhl, Director of International Scholarship, Shakespeare & Debate 

auhl@esuus.org

(212) 818-1200, ext. 212