Appendix 5 – Motion Types and Motion Bank This appendix is a compilation of motions adequate for BP debates and practice sessions. We have divided this list into three parts: 1) Entry Level Motions, 2) Intermediate Motions and 3) Experienced Motions. However, the suitability of a motion is of course dependent on who debates it, e.g. a finance motion might be more accessible to business students than to philosophy students. Feel free to try motions listed below, or alter them to your liking! If you are looking for more motions, we recommend www.hellomotions.com. Motion Types Our motion bank includes the following types of motions. Motion Abbreviation General rules associated with this type of motion type in full This house THW This is a policy motion; a debate about whether or not would a certain policy is a good idea. Government is expected to provide a model (describing how the policy would play out) and define key elements. Opposition defends the status alternatively propose a counterprop. 143 quo or may This house THBT This is a motion type where government must argue believes for why something is true while opposition argues for that why it is false. This house TH prefers This is a motion type where government must argue prefers for why something is preferable while opposition argues for why it is not. There are two main types of THP debates: • THP X over Y • THP X In THP X over Y, government defends X while opposition defends Y. In THP X, government defends X while opposition must defend the status quo. This house THO This is a motion type where government must argue opposes for why something is bad while opposition argues for why it is good. This house THS This is a motion type where government must argue supports for why something is good while opposition argues for why it is bad. This house THR This is a motion type that operates with hindsight. THR regrets motions ask: “Would the world have been better without x?” 144 Government must describe the harms associated with X and present a counterfactual (explanation of alternative world where X did not occur) and explain why this counterfactual is better than the status quo. Opposition must then explain why X is preferable to a counterfactual. This house TH predicts This is a motion type that asks you to debate on likely predicts outcomes. The burden of proof for government is to prove that X will happen in the future. If not otherwise specified, government should establish a near and realistic timeline. Note that it is irrelevant for the debate whether or not X is good or bad. This is not a debate about value judgements but about likely futures. This house THH This is also a forward looking debate and here hopes debaters must normatively compare two counterfactuals. One in which X happens and one in which X does not happen. Once again, timelines should be approached reasonably. Note that preconditions must be symmetrical. Meaning that if something must be true before it can 145 occur, that same thing is also true on the other side of the debate. An example: This house hopes politician Y loses the next presidential election. In this case, it is a precondition that politician Y runs for office - and this must be true on both sides. Actor TH, motions W/O/S as x, These types of motions ask debaters to take the point of view of a specified actor. Here, it is important for debaters to debate ONLY what the actor wants. Entry Level Motions THW mandate a youth quota in parliament THW not punish economic crimes (e.g. theft) committed by those below the poverty line THW allocate scholarships based on wealth THW impose fines on public acts of climate change denial THW ban private education THW ban zoos THW take the job you're passionate about o Infoslide: You are a talented, middle-class person in your early twenties about to start your career. You have the choice between a job in which you will make a lot of money and work long hours (e.g. investment banker, corporate lawyer, etc) and a job which pays less but that you are more passionate about (e.g. social worker, chef, teacher, small business owner, etc.) THW give more votes to citizens according to their performance on a current affairs test THBT parents should push their kids to achieve, even if that comes at the expense of their child’s happiness 146 THBT religious educational institutions should not receive public funding THR the popularity of true crime docuseries THR the narrative that personal hardship is empowering Intermediate Motions THO the further development of Artificial Intelligence THW ban mail-order brides THW allocate resources towards adapting to the effects of climate change, rather than trying to prevent it THW prohibit social media influencers from contributing to political campaigns THW allow citizens to designate what their tax dollars will/won’t fund THW subsidize struggling mainstream media organizations THW actively incentivize migration from urban to rural areas THW pay gangs for decreased violence in areas of their control THW pay additional benefits to families on welfare according to their child’s performance in school THW allow legislation by citizen-initiated referenda Assuming it could be done peacefully, THW replace all existing governments with one single global government THBT religious schools have done more harm than good in developing countries THBT educational institutions should heavily de-emphasize the value of academic excellence (eg: using pass/fail marking, abolishing distinctions or letter grading) THBT large technology companies should not be eligible for patent protection Assuming feasibility, THBT all foreign developmental aid should be given in the form of direct transfers to individuals THBT states should prioritize funding to, and encourage women to enter into, popular women's sports (e.g., tennis, gymnastics) rather than sports where women are significantly underrepresented (e.g., cricket, soccer). THBT environmental activists should use radical measures to achieve their agendas e.g. soup throwing, blocking highways, chaining themselves to parliamentary buildings 147 THBT governments should not bail out banks THBT social movements should advocate for members of its population to assimilate into, instead of dismantle, the systems it opposes (e.g., Black Lives Matter advocating for Black Americans to join the police force, the feminist movement advocating for women to co-opt masculine behaviors in the workplace) THBT the political voice of professional athletes, actors and other celebrities have done more harm than good THP multiple labor unions existing in an industry/company rather than a singular labor union THP a world where the dominant narrative is that true love is not necessary for marriage THS restrictions on free speech that glorifies right-wing populism TH, as an animal rights activist, would join an organization that aims to reduce wild animal suffering rather than one which focuses on improving the welfare of farmed animals. THR the rise of pop psychology (e.g., self-administered personality tests, self-help books, mental health apps) THR the narrative that democracy is the only legitimate form of governance THR the glorification of geniuses Experienced Motions THW prefer a religion which preaches that one's fate in the material world is predetermined rather than one that preaches that one's choices influence it THW never bail out big companies THW not allow public sector employees to go on strike THW transfer complete management of environmentally significant areas to an international body, instead of the national government of that area (eg: control of the Amazon rainforest would be transferred to an international body, instead of being under the control of the Brazilian government) 148 TH, as an animal rights activist, would join an organization that aims to reduce wild animal suffering rather than one which focuses on improving the welfare of farmed animals When there is a trade-off: THW prioritize the economic development of indigenous communities over cultural distinctiveness THBT that secessionist political parties in democratic countries should aim for a devolution of powers rather than independent statehood THBT developing nations should decentralize authority significantly to local provinces/states (e.g. autonomous policy making, greater fiscal control, etc.) THBT the decolonization movement should prioritize opposition to capitalism over reforming the capitalist system THBT labor unions in developing countries should primarily pursue legislative change as a means of achieving workers' rights, instead of directly negotiating with companies (eg: lobbying the government to implement minimum wage and maximum work hour laws, instead of directly negotiating with companies to convince them to increase wages and reduce working hours) THBT avoiding military conscription is always justified THBT the EU should cut structural funds to member states that undermine civil and political rights (e.g. restrict court independence, reduce media and academic freedom, etc.) THBT the EU should prohibit member states from paying non-member countries to accept refugees who reached the borders of the EU THBT the environmental movement should heavily prioritize the conservation of keystone species, even at the expense of charismatic megafauna o Keystone species are organisms that help define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, ecosystems often suffer from severe degradation. Examples include: the American beaver and the Yellowstone gray wolf. Charismatic megafauna are animal species that hold symbolic value or widespread popular appeal among the public. Examples include: Giant pandas and Bengal tigers. 149 THP a world in which everyone considers morality to be universal as opposed to a world in which everyone considers morality to be culturally specific THP a world in which religions are karmic-based over a world in which religions are based on eternal reward-punishment THS the use of economic warfare tactics (tariffs, targeted sanctions etc.) in order to force compliance with rules of the global neoliberal economic order (opening up of national markets, protecting intellectual property, not engaging in currency manipulation etc.) THO the focus on the authenticity of art o For the purposes of this debate, authenticity of a work of art means the degree to which said work is an authentic and honest expression of the artist's intention, identity or experience, as opposed to the work of art conveying fabricated emotions, experiences or meanings, often with the intent to be popular. THR the rise of the gig economy 150
