Module seminar: Westminster Debate

In our Westminster Debate, student groups confront each other, discussing a topic from two different perspectives. Questions can be debated from a pro and from a contra perspective. Below you find a list of questions and the positions each group will argue for. It does NOT matter if you share the opinion that you are arguing for - what counts is that you defend the position and find the most convincing arguments for that position as possible.

Groups prepare their arguments in advance (some time during the week). In the Westminster debate itself, gruops have a 15 minute debate to exchange those arguments. Speaker rights change in quick sequence. After exactly 15 mins the discussion is stopped, and the 'public' takes a vote which side 'wins', e.g. is more convincing.

While a lot of hectic fun, these debates require that groups work together to prepare arguments in favour of one position, focusing deeply on convincingly making a case for one proposition. The task is to align argument upon argument for one proposition, while having prepared counter-argument upon counter-argument to take apart the opposition's point of view. The Westminster Debate format certainly is no place for nuance, nor for 'as-well-as': it is a strict forum of juxtaposition.

Each group nominates a 'speaker of the house', that is someone who will moderate another group's debate (e.g. a team consisting of 2 people from groups 1 + 2 will chair the debate of group 3 + 4, and so on). Please know in advance who of your group will chair another debate.

The topics below are what the groups will prepare and argue for in the debate. The seminar itself is organised like a game show in 4 rounds:

Topic 1: Peace should under all circumstances be the guiding norm of international politics.

(Chaired by team of two from groups V and VI)
Pro: Group I
Contra: Group II

Topic 2: Peacebuilding Missions should be conducted regardless of the host nation’s consent.

(Chaired by team of two from groups VII and VIII)
Pro: Group III
Contra: Group IV

Topic 3: Sweden should stay out of NATO.

(Chaired by team of two from groups I and II)
Pro: Group V
Contra: Group VI

Topic 4: European States should offer Vladimir Putin political asylum to provide a way out of the corner of military escalation.

(Chaired by team of two from groups III and IV)
Pro: Group VII
Contra: Group VIII

If you cannot take part in the Westminster debate seminar, you are still encouraged to work with your group preparing the group's position. Write down both pro and contra arguments for your group's question, juxtaposing them in two columns or in different paragraphs. This does not need to be a lot of text, but needs to show that you have related pro and contra arguments (1-2 pages max). Please upload this in the extra assignment category under Assignments.