Economics
Debate
Regulations
Regulations: a legal provision that creates, limits, or constrains
a right, creates or limits a duty, or allocates a responsibility.
Regulation can take many forms: legal restrictions promulgated
by a government authority, contractual obligations that bind
many parties (for example, "insurance regulations" that arise
out of contracts between insurers and their insureds), selfregulation by an industry such as through a trade association,
social regulation (e.g. norms), co-regulation, or market
regulation. One can consider regulation as actions of conduct
imposing sanctions, such as a fine, to the extent permitted by
the law of the land.
The class will split into groups of 4. In each group, 2 will
students will be on one side, and 2 on the other. The debate
will be centered on the pros and cons of regulation. 2 students
will argue that government regulation on the economy is
beneficial to free markets, while the other 2 students will argue
that government regulation is harmful to free markets. Each
group will focus on a particular aspect of the economy.
1) Wall Street/Banking
2) Environment
3) Health/Safety
4) Labor and Employment Policy
5) Media/Communications/ Technology
**** Your debate analysis should focus on both the pros or
cons of regulations generally on your area of interest AND
historical examples that will prove your point. You can quote
relevant and important economic and political leaders past and
present as well.
Debate Structure
--Opening Statement: 4 minutes for pro-argument (2 min each)
4 minutes for con-argument (2 min each)
--Rebuttal: 2 minutes for each (pro-and con)…you can work
together as a pair.
--Closing statement for each group