According to dictionary.com, the verb, 'to debate' means "to engage in argument by discussing opposing points." Within the context of this definition, academic debate reigns supreme within the hallowed confines of Columbia's Morningside Heights campus. From CC to Quantum Mechanics, Columbia academics debate a variety of pertinent issues each day of their intellectual lives. Naturally, arising from this community of thoughtful academic discourse, has come a variety of debating teams. These teams and organizations standardize the rules of debate and allow for intercollegiate competition. The other major debating organizations at Columbia are: the Policy Debate Team, Philolexian Society and the Mock Trial Team. Each of these organizations is quite successful and have fruitful histories, but, none have tasted the success and acclaim won by Parliamentary Debate.

Parliamentary Debate

Parliamentary debate is yet another form of debate that arose as a reaction against the excesses of Policy Debate. The emphasis in this form of debate is on persuasiveness, logic, and wit. Unlike in other forms of debate, where the resolution is established well in advance of a tournament and is the same for every round in the tournament, in the Parliamentary style the resolution is usually not established until 10 minutes before the debate round begins, and there is a new resolution for every round of debate. Since it would be unreasonable to expect teams to research every topic they could be possibly be asked to debate, parliamentary debate requires no evidence whatsoever.

This form of debate is called "parliamentary" because of its vague resemblance to the debates that take place in the British parliament. The proposition team is called the "Government," and the opposition team is called (appropriately) the "Opposition." The Government team consists of two debaters, the Prime Minister (PM) and the Member of Government (MG). The Opposition team also consists of two debaters, the Leader of the Opposition (LO) and the Member of the Opposition (MO).

The debate is split between the constructive and rebuttal periods. During the constructive speeches, new arguments are allowed, as are points of information. During a point of information, a member of the opposing team can rise out of their seat to attempt to ask a question. It is up to the debater with the floor to take the question or not. That debater is by no means obligated to take any questions, however, if they chose to take none, it is considered bad form.

The constructive portion of the round begins with a 7 minute speech by the PM. During this speech, he introduces the background for the case, case statement and 2-5 cited arguments as to why the judge should adopt the case. The case can be about anything, from history to IR to philosophy to TV shows to literature. During this speech, the Opp team must write out their first opposition team, rise on points and think of quick responses to the PMs points. When the PM sits down, the judge then calls the LO to give an 8 minute speech deconstructing the government case.

During the Leader of Opposition Constructive (LOC), the LO provides 2-5 independent arguments as to why the Gov case is a bad idea. He then goes back "on case" and addresses each of the PMs original points. The next two speeches, the MG and MO, the debaters follow this basic "flow" and respond to the arguments in kind. Both of their speeches are also 8 minutes long.

The debate concludes with the rebuttal portion. During rebuttals, the debaters summarize the round and 'crystallize' into 2-4 reasons why their team carries the round. Non 'new' arguments are allowed during these speeches nor are points of information. The LO gives the first 4 minute rebuttal speech followed by the PM's 5 minute speech.

The round is then completed and the judge evaluates the performance of the two teams.

Where can I learn more about Debate?

The first place to go for more information is the Links section of this website. We especially recommend the link to our league website, the American Parliamentary Debate Association (APDA) and this fantastic website by APDA alum (dino), Prof. Glen Whitman.

If you have any additional questions, drop an email to team President, Evan Mayo-Wilson at erm28@columbia.edu. You may also contact Novice Director, Joe Lyons at jhl51@columbia.edu.