Examples of Theoretical Observations

March 2012 – Resolved: The United States should suspend all assistance to Pakistan.

Actor: United States

Action: foreign aid/assistance

Stimulus: None specified (you would want to provide this by analyzing the resolution, i.e.: lack of stability in Pakistan, threat to US efforts, humanitarian crisis, etc.)

Theory for Pro: Public Choice Theory: applies the analysis of people’s actions in a marketplace and applies this to collective decision-making. Assumes that though people act in collective decision-making with come concern for others, but their main motive remains self-interest.
 
Application/Result: If this theory holds true, then the existence of problems in Pakistan should not warrant a Con ballot. The resolution is not necessarily about Pakistani interest. The resolution is about US goals for our assistance and if we are accomplishing those goals.

Ethical theories are useful to describe how an actor should act in a given situation. Below is an example of an ethical theory applied to a resolution.

April 2012 – Resolved: State mandated administration of childhood vaccinations is justified.

Actor: The State/Government

Action: mandated administration of childhood vaccinations

Stimulus: None specified (you would want to provide this, i.e.: public health, efficacy of vaccinations)

Theory for Pro: Utilitarianism – a theory that the aim of action should be to bring about the greatest “good” of the greatest number.
 
Application/Result: The government is responsible for public health and at times is the only actor to organize mass efforts to improve public health. Vaccinations rely on “herd” immunity and therefore, to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people should be vaccinated. If Pro proves that mandated administration leads to the highest vaccination levels, then Pro argue the government must act on behalf of public health.