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2023 High School Debate Championship 3.10.2023

The City Club of Cleveland・54 minutes read

The 2023 High School Debate Championship at the City Club of Cleveland showcased Caitlin Ernst and Sam Bowen, who discussed the resolution "Resolved: Justice requires open borders for human migration," with Bowen advocating for open borders due to climate change and global inequality, while Ernst defended the necessity of border restrictions for public health and national sovereignty. The debate highlighted the complex relationship between migration, justice, and climate issues, ultimately emphasizing the significance of both arguments in addressing real-world challenges.

Insights

  • The 2023 High School Debate Championship held at the City Club of Cleveland featured a poignant resolution on the ethical implications of open borders for human migration, honoring the legacy of Patrick Jordan, and showcased the skills of finalists Caitlin Ernst and Sam Bowen, who presented compelling arguments on both sides of the issue.
  • Sam Bowen's affirmative stance highlighted the potential benefits of open borders, arguing that they could alleviate the impacts of climate change by allowing displaced individuals to seek better living conditions, while also fostering economic growth in developing nations through remittances and enhanced job opportunities.
  • In contrast, Caitlin Ernst's negative argument emphasized the necessity of maintaining border controls to protect public health and national security, asserting that unrestricted migration could lead to detrimental effects on both host and home countries, particularly in the context of pandemics and the preservation of indigenous communities.

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Recent questions

  • What is the definition of open borders?

    Open borders refer to a policy allowing free movement of people across national boundaries without strict immigration controls. This concept advocates for the elimination of barriers that restrict migration, enabling individuals to move freely for various reasons, such as seeking better living conditions, escaping conflict, or pursuing economic opportunities. Proponents argue that open borders can lead to significant economic benefits, enhance cultural exchange, and address humanitarian crises, while critics raise concerns about potential impacts on public health, security, and the economy of host countries. The debate surrounding open borders often involves discussions about justice, human rights, and the responsibilities of nations towards migrants.

  • How can I improve my debate skills?

    Improving debate skills involves a combination of practice, research, and effective communication techniques. Start by familiarizing yourself with various debate formats and styles, such as Lincoln-Douglas or Policy debate, to understand the structure and expectations. Engage in regular practice sessions, either through formal debate clubs or informal discussions, to refine your argumentation and rebuttal skills. Research current events and relevant topics to build a strong knowledge base, allowing you to construct well-informed arguments. Additionally, focus on developing your public speaking abilities, including clarity, confidence, and engagement with the audience. Seeking feedback from experienced debaters or coaches can also provide valuable insights for improvement.

  • What are the benefits of remittances?

    Remittances, the money sent back home by migrants to their families, play a crucial role in supporting economic stability and development in their home countries. These funds can significantly improve the living conditions of recipients, allowing them to access better healthcare, education, and housing. Remittances also contribute to local economies by increasing consumption and investment, which can stimulate job creation and economic growth. Furthermore, they help mitigate the loss of human capital by providing financial support for training and education, enabling individuals to develop skills that can benefit their communities. Overall, remittances are a vital source of income for many families and can have a transformative impact on the economies of developing nations.

  • What is the role of judges in debates?

    Judges in debates play a critical role in evaluating the arguments presented by participants and determining the winner based on the quality of reasoning, evidence, and overall presentation. They assess the effectiveness of each debater's case, including how well they address counterarguments and engage with their opponent's points. Judges also consider the clarity of communication, the organization of arguments, and the debaters' ability to connect with the audience. Their feedback is essential for debaters to understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Ultimately, judges help maintain the integrity of the debate process by ensuring that decisions are based on merit and adherence to the rules of the competition.

  • What are the main arguments against open borders?

    The main arguments against open borders often center around concerns related to public health, security, and economic stability. Critics argue that unrestricted migration can lead to challenges in managing public health, especially during pandemics, as it may facilitate the spread of diseases across borders. Additionally, there are fears that open borders could compromise national security by making it difficult to monitor and control who enters a country. Economic arguments also arise, with opponents suggesting that an influx of migrants could strain public resources, depress wages, and lead to job losses for local workers. Furthermore, there are concerns about the potential for brain drain in developing countries, where skilled individuals may leave, hindering local development efforts.

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Summary

00:00

High School Debate Explores Open Borders Justice

  • The City Club of Cleveland hosted the 2023 High School Debate Championship on March 10, 2023, with Tom Lucchesi from Baker and Hostetler introducing the event, which honors the memory of Patrick Jordan, a former partner and championship debater who passed away in 1995.
  • The finalists for the debate were Caitlin Ernst from Laurel School, coached by Rachel Rothschild and Rich Kowalix, and Sam Bowen from Hawkins School, coached by Robert Schertz and Eva Lamberson, competing in a Lincoln Douglas style debate focused on logic, ethical values, and philosophy.
  • The debate was evaluated by a panel of three judges: Robert Jewell from Kenston High School, Ryan Peoples from Berea Mid Park High School, and Harold Anderson, a retired Colonel and founder of the Thurgood Marshall Oratorical Debate Society.
  • The resolution for the debate was "Resolved: Justice requires open borders for human migration," with Sam Bowen affirming the resolution and Caitlin Ernst opposing it, emphasizing the importance of the debate in addressing real-world issues and their philosophical implications.
  • Sam Bowen defined human migration as moving to improve living conditions and framed justice as giving each their due, proposing cosmopolitanism as the value criterion, which advocates for global action to reduce conflicts and differences among states.
  • Bowen's first contention focused on climate change, citing that rich nations are responsible for 70% of historical CO2 emissions while only comprising 18% of the population, predicting that between 200 million and 1.2 billion people will be displaced by 2050 due to climate impacts.
  • He argued that allowing open borders would reduce harm to migrants, as 45% of undocumented immigrants lack health insurance, and that open borders would incentivize wealthy countries to address the root causes of climate change, which they currently neglect.
  • Bowen's second contention addressed global equality, stating that open borders would enhance economic growth in developing countries by allowing migrants to send money back home, increasing productivity, and creating a global incentive for job matching, potentially doubling the annual wage of typical workers in developing countries.
  • He referenced a study by Gasco in 2022, which found that open borders could deliver around $100 trillion to the global economy, and emphasized that robust economic growth in the global South would accelerate technological progress and investment in new energy systems to combat climate change.
  • The debate concluded with a cross-examination where Bowen defended the idea that open borders would compel developed nations to address the root causes of migration, arguing that historical patterns of migration management would shift towards proactive solutions rather than restrictive policies.

14:46

Debate on Migration and Border Control

  • Migration restrictions are primarily enforced through border controls, and when these are not available, historical practices indicate that addressing root causes of migration becomes the focus for limiting migration flows.
  • Remittances play a crucial role in supporting families and training individuals in the same profession, especially when demand increases, thereby helping to mitigate the loss of human capital in their home countries.
  • The 2023 High School Debate Championship is taking place at the City Club of Cleveland, a venue known for its commitment to free speech, with participants having prepared for this event over the past two months.
  • The debate format includes a six-minute affirmative constructive speech, followed by a cross-examination period where debaters question each other's arguments to identify weaknesses and clarify points.
  • The negative constructive speech, which lasts seven minutes, combines offense and defense, allowing the speaker to present their arguments while also addressing the affirmative's points.
  • Preparation for the debate involves extensive research and practice, with participants attending various tournaments to gather insights and ideas that inform their arguments on the current topic.
  • The negative side argues that justice does not necessitate open borders, emphasizing the need for states to maintain authority over immigration to protect public health, especially during pandemics, citing that border restrictions can significantly reduce disease transmission.
  • Political conflicts necessitate secure borders, as demonstrated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has led Baltic nations to reinforce their borders to protect against potential threats from aggressive states.
  • Indigenous communities, such as the Sentilees in the Bay of Bengal, require border restrictions to safeguard their populations from external diseases and cultural extinction, highlighting the importance of respecting their sovereignty.
  • The negative side contends that open borders can harm developing nations by draining human capital and resources, ultimately hindering their ability to address issues like natural disasters and economic stability, while also negatively impacting host countries' economies.

29:16

Debate Evolution and Arguments on Migration

  • The text discusses the evolution of debate practices, noting that while some debaters still use physical cards, many now prefer to create a single comprehensive document on their computers, as exemplified by Sam's approach during the debate.
  • The judges present at the debate include Rob Jewell from Kenston, Ryan Peeples from Maria Midpark, and Harold Anderson from the East Cleveland school board, with Rob Jewell being the father of the speaker.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of connecting with judges during debates, balancing the need for substantial arguments with maintaining some level of eye contact and rhetorical engagement.
  • In the context of the City Club debate, style is deemed less important than substance, especially when judged by experienced debate coaches, who focus on the quality of arguments rather than presentation.
  • Sam Bowen's rebuttal speech lasts four minutes and begins by addressing the negative case, arguing against the necessity of restrictions by citing evidence that such measures can lead to manipulation and unintended consequences.
  • He references studies, including Hoffman 20 and UN 21, to argue that closed borders during pandemics do not effectively prevent disease spread and can exacerbate health crises by concentrating infected populations.
  • Sam counters his opponent's points about conflict and human migration by clarifying that migration is aimed at improving individual lives, not warfare, and argues that open borders can help people escape oppressive regimes.
  • He discusses the impact of open migration on indigenous communities, asserting that it allows displaced individuals to return to their cultural lands and practice their traditions, as supported by Kumar 14.
  • The structure of the debate includes two rebuttals from the affirmative side, with the first focusing on countering the negative case and the second summarizing key voting issues, which are critical for determining the outcome.
  • Caitlyn Ernst's negative rebuttal emphasizes the right of nations to implement border restrictions, arguing that the issues raised by Sam are related to implementation rather than the validity of restrictions themselves, and she provides examples to support her stance.

42:34

Climate Change Justice and Migration Debate

  • The debate centers on the relationship between climate change, justice, and open borders, with the affirmative needing to establish a strong link between these concepts to win the argument.
  • The speaker references the Hanson initiative, which allows climate refugees to receive asylum status, suggesting that controlled border policies can better assist migrants affected by climate change.
  • The speaker argues that healthcare access is limited to citizens, and open border policies do not automatically grant citizenship or rights to all migrants, highlighting a flaw in the affirmative's argument.
  • The speaker points out that immigrants often have a larger carbon footprint when moving to developed nations, exacerbating climate change, and emphasizes the lack of guarantees that proposed policies will be implemented effectively.
  • The speaker discusses the negative impact of migration on developing countries, noting that the exodus of human capital leads to job losses and reduced tax revenue, which harms the poorest populations.
  • The speaker raises two key issues: the right of governments to impose restrictions and the justice of these restrictions, providing examples such as pandemics, economic impacts, political conflict, and the rights of Indigenous groups.
  • The affirmative's argument emphasizes that wealthy countries must address climate change to mitigate migration, asserting that open borders would pressure these countries to take action.
  • The speaker counters that access to healthcare for migrants is crucial in addressing pandemics, arguing that current asylum processes are flawed and do not guarantee care for all migrants.
  • The speaker claims that open borders would lead to economic benefits, with a cross-country study suggesting that $100 trillion could be added to the global economy, improving conditions for migrants and reducing long-term migration rates.
  • The debate concludes with a recognition of the emotional and strategic aspects of debating, with both competitors expressing pride in their performances and the challenges of judging the nuanced arguments presented.

56:02

City Club Forum Highlights and Future Events

  • Caitlin Ernst and Sam Bowen received congratulations for their participation in a debate, indicating a positive outcome for both.
  • The City Club forum has concluded, and attendees were informed about the adjournment of the event.
  • For information on future speakers or to access podcasts of the City Club, individuals are directed to visit cityclub.org.
  • The production and distribution of City Club forums are supported by PNC and the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland Incorporated.
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