This house believes that the scientists should destroy the evidence rather than sharing it to the world
Info Slide
Scientists discover irrefutable evidence that upon death, people roam the earth as ghosts for 6 months before disappearing forever. This evidence is so irrefutable that the mainstream public will believe it. No one else will be able to discover this evidence ever again
2
THP a world where natural life ends at 50
3
This house prefers a world where people do not strive to leave behind a legacy
Semifinals
1
This house believes that South Asian states should actively prioritize forming stronger regional alliances with each other (e.g. by forming closer intra-state defense ties increasing economic integration etc.) over forming ties with non-regional allies
2
THS the creation of a BRICS common currency
Info Slide
The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) bloc recently agreed to admitting 6 more nations - Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina and the United Arab Emirates.
3
THBT India should substantially ease restrictions on Chinese trade and investment
Info Slide
In late 2020, as a response to ongoing border skirmishes, India enacted a series of restrictions limiting Chinese FDI and imposed high import tariffs on Chinese goods and services.
Quarterfinals
1
THS an active use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Criminal Justice System
Info Slide
Artificial intelligence in the legal system uses machine learning and predictive analytics to draw insights on legal proceedings. Uses may include, but are not limited to, reviewing evidence, issuing verdicts, and providing insight to the behavior of legal professionals.
2
THW ban solitary confinement
Info Slide
Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment in which an incarcerated person lives in a single cell with little or no contact with other people
3
This house believes that retribution should not be a part of the criminal justice system
Info Slide
The principle of retribution is the concept that punishment should be proportionate to the harm caused, aiming to balance the scales of justice by inflicting a punishment on the offender equal to the harm they have inflicted.
Octofinals
1
This house believes that the LGBTIQ+ movement should prioritize in its public agenda the narrative of reinterpretation of religions, rather than the narrative against religions
Info Slide
For the purposes of this debate, there are two dominant narratives within the LGBTIQ+ movement regarding religion: one where the discourse seeks a constant critique of religion and another where the narrative seeks to generate a reinterpretation of religions to give acceptance to the community.
2
THP the predominance of guilt-based religions over shame-based religions
Info Slide
Guilt-based religions are systems that base morality on self-introspection while shame-based religions are systems that base morality on social pressure
3
TH prefers a world where the conception of an after-life is centred around divine grace, as opposed to karmic balance.
Info Slide
Karmic balance refers to the view that individuals who behave in a blameworthy manner will face punishment and suffering, and those who behave in a praiseworthy manner will lead eternally happy lives in the after-life. Divine grace refers to the view that irrespective of the morality of their actions in life, individuals will be forgiven and access eternally happy lives in the after life
Round 5
1
This House Believes That the environmental movement should take more radical action in the fight against climate change (e.g., blocking roads, vandalism, blowing up pipelines etc.)
2
This house, as an up and coming lawyer from a minority background, would choose to be an 'adversarial lawyer' instead of a 'moral activist' lawyer
Info Slide
An adversarial lawyer believes their duty is to advocate for their client's interest as zealously as possible and believe that they are not morally responsible for either the ends or means of representation, provided they are lawful. A moral activist lawyer sees forwarding social justice as their primary duty. They aim to improve substantive justice through public interest lawyering, law reform activities, and counselling clients to act morally.
3
This house believes that Indian feminist movements should adopt Lakshmi as a symbol of the movement rather than Kali
Info Slide
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth, power, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness. She holds the promise of material fulfilment and contentment. Kali is the Hindu goddess (or Devi) of death, time, and doomsday and is often associated with sexuality and violence. She is famously depicted as defeating and killing demons where other Gods could not.
Round 4
1
THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO PRACTICE PROTECTIONISM
Info Slide
Protectionism is an economic policy that involves the use of trade barriers, such as tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, to restrict the import of foreign goods and protect domestic industries from foreign competition
2
THIS HOUSE, AS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY, WOULD CHOOSE TO DEPRIORITISE ECONOMIC MODERNISATION IN FAVOUR OF THE GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS INDEX.
Info Slide
The Gross National Happiness Index includes traditional areas of socio-economic concern such as living standards, health and education and less traditional aspects of culture and psychological wellbeing
3
THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT, DEVELOPING ECONOMIES SHOULD PRIORITIZE TRANSITIONING INTO SERVICE HEAVY ECONOMIES (DEVELOPING SECTORS SUCH AS IT, WAREHOUSING, SHIPPING ETC.) AS OPPOSED TO SPECIALIZING IN AGRICULTURE OR MANUFACTURING
Round 3
1
This house would break up "Big Tech" companies.
Info Slide
“Big Tech” is a term used to describe large technology companies that, because of their size and market share, wield disproportionate economic and social influence. These companies include Amazon, Meta and Alphabet (Google’s parent company).
2
THS corporate funding of Wikipedia.
3
TH, as a well established company in a highly competitive market space, W choose to adopt "Planned Obsolescence".
Info Slide
Planned obsolescence is the corporate strategy of planning or designing a product with an artificially limited useful life so it will become obsolete (that is unfashionable or no longer functional) after a certain period of time.
Round 2
1
THP a world where companies assume an apolitical stance over a world where companies are openly political (eg Chick-Fil-A being openly anti abortion/anti-lgbtq+)
2
THO the liberal/LW vilification of the term Sanghi
Info Slide
"Sanghi" is a term used for people that support ideas of Hindu nationalism or Hindutva. The term literally means "worker", but is derived from it's association to the Rashtriya Seva Sangh (RSS).
3
THS the perception of children as political beings.
Info Slide
Political beings are individuals who are conscious of politics and actively participate in them. this includes being the target of political messaging, participating in protests, and actively consuming political content
Round 1
1
THS Helicopter Parenting.
Info Slide
Helicopter parents have high levels of involvement in their child’s life (eg: overly anxious about child’s safety, being involved in their friendships, etc). They aim to create every opportunity they can for their child to succeed in life.
2
This house supports a norm where parents are financially transparent to their children
3
This house would (actively) raise our daughters to devalue romance