2010-2011
DISCUSSION OUTLINE
Western Hemisphere
Relations
Minnesota State High School League 2100 Freeway Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN
55430-1735 (763) 560-2262 FAX (763) 569-0499
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Overview of Discussion
“Problem-solving Discussion is an effort on the part of a small group to
reach a solution to a problem through informal interchange of facts,
inferences, and judgments. This method of discussion seeks
consensus rather than majority rule. The focus of this event should be
the encouragement of cooperation and critical thinking to arrive at the
collective goal of better understanding and problem solving.”
This statement from the Minnesota State High School League Rules and Policy
Manual reflects the true spirit of this event. As discussion participants prepare
and research, the goal should be to collect information and develop collaborative
skills that will maximize their ability to make valuable contributions as members
of a variety of contest groups. In contest rounds, all discussants should
cooperate to achieve group consensus through both substantive (adding
valuable information, perspectives, and analysis) and procedural (enhancing the
group process, full participation, and positive exchange of ideas) contributions to
the discussion.
Overview of This Year’s Topic
In an address to Congress on December 2, 1823, U.S. President James Monroe
outlined what would become known as the “Monroe Doctrine.” While this was
originally intended to keep other nations from interfering with Western
Hemispheric concerns, it was later broadened to justify unilateral U.S.
involvement in the internal affairs of those nations. While the dominance of the
U.S. in Western Hemisphere issues is not in doubt, it is essential to note that all
the nations that comprise this hemisphere have inter-related concerns, and what
occurs in one nation can have an impact on both its immediate neighbors and
nations thousands of miles away. This year’s topic is intended to explore those
concerns and interactions. While the outline has three distinct main headings,
some of the sub-headings do repeat, highlighting the complexity of these topics.
A Note on Use of Topics at Invitationals
While the Minnesota State High School League does not limit the use of topic
areas used for Discussion in invitational speech tournaments, the Discussion
Committee recommends the following “schedule” to give students experience
with all parts of the outline:
 January - February 12: State Topics (III. Cultural Issues)
 February 14 - March 13: Sectional Topics (II. Political Issues)
 March 14 - Start of Subsections: Subsection Topics (I. Economic Issues)
Tournament Managers Please Note: Even if you choose not to follow the
above schedule, it is vital that you communicate to your participating schools
which parts(s) of the outline you will use and how you will be organizing your
Discussion rounds.
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Western Hemisphere Relations
2010 - 2011 MSHSL Discussion Topic Outline
Discussion tasks this year will center on the interrelated nature of the countries and
territories that comprise the Western Hemisphere when confronting current issues. Task
writers are urged to remember the big picture presented by the complex nature of many of
these sub-headings. Examples from specific countries can and should be used both in the
tasks and in the rounds. All efforts should be made to ensure that the questions posed to
the students encourage critical thinking and positive group interaction.
I.
Economic Issues – Subsection Topic
A.
Oil/Natural Gas Exploration
1.
State control vs. private enterprise
2.
Environmental concerns/impacts
3.
Used as an economic weapon
B.
Immigration
1.
Impacts on wages
2.
High-skilled vs. low-skilled workers
3.
Impact of Refugees
C.
Illegal Drugs/Crime
D.
Tourism – Exploitation of natural resources
E.
Employment/Labor
F.
Free trade agreements: NAFTA, CAFTA, U.S.-Panama, etc.
G.
Income/wealth distribution
II.
Political Issues – Section Topic
A.
Immigration
1.
Border security
2.
Amnesty for illegal immigrants
3.
Religious issues
B.
Illegal Drugs/Crime
C.
Governmental Stability/Political Corruption
D.
Organization of American States, Effectiveness of
E.
Border Town Relations
F.
Rise of Anti-American Sentiment
G.
Income/Wealth Distribution
III.
Cultural Issues – State Topic
A.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
B.
Environmental Concerns
C.
Separatist Movements/Nativist Movements
D.
Language barriers and language preservation
E.
Racial Tensions
F.
Immigration – Cultural pluralism vs. cultural assimilation
G.
Human Rights Concerns
H.
Impact of Past U.S. Interventions
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Bibliography
(The bibliography is a starting point for those desiring direction in researching this topic.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive and presents only a small number of the resources
that could be used to prepare for Discussion tasks. Additionally, this is not meant to be a list
that suggests favoritism or enhanced credibility for these sources simply because they are
listed here and other sources are not.)
Books
Cooper, Andrew, and Jorge Heine, eds. Which Way Latin America?: Hemispheric Politics
Meets Globalization. Tokyo: United Nations University Press, 2009.
Edward, Sebastian. Left Behind: Latin America and the False Promise of Populism.
Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2010.
Hicken, Suzanne. Children of the Hemisphere. Lincoln: iUniverse, 2006.
Langley, Lester. The Americas in the Modern Age. New Haven: Yale University Press,
2005.
Loveman, Brian. No Higher Law: American Foreign Policy and the Western Hemisphere
Since 1776. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2010.
Articles
Castaneda, Jorge. “Santos’ Great Challenge.” Miami Herald. 25 July 2010. Web.
<http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/25/1745407/santos-great-challenge.html>.
Friedman-Rudovsky, Jean. “Bolivia’s Eco-President: How Green is Evo Morales.” Time. 6
August 2010. Web. <http://www.time.com/time/world/article/
0,8599,2009004,00.html?xid=rss-topstories>.
Jones, Forrest. “Chavez Embargo Threat Fails to Roil Oil Markets.” Wall Street Journal. 27
July 2010. Web. <http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100727-707185.html>.
McCleery, Kathleen. “In Hoduras, Whispers of Political Unrest Remain among Mayan
Beauty.” PBS Newshour. 3 August 2010. Web. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/
rundown/2010/08/honduras-dispatch.html>
Padgett, Tim. “Juarez: Running the Most Dangerous City in the Americas.” Time. 27 March
2009. Web. <http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1888111,00.html>.
Shaikh, Thair. “Scientist Lives As Inuit for a Year to Save Disappearing Language.” CNN.com.
13 August 2010. Web. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/08/13/
greenland.inuit.language/>.
Tamayo, Juan. “U.S. Said To Be Near Easing Restrictions on Travel To Cuba.” Kansas City
Star. 6 August 2010. Web. <http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/06/2134353/ussaid-to-be-near-easing-restrictions.html>.
Valencia, Nick. “Mexican Officials: Mayor of Guadalupe Killed by Gunmen." CNN.com. 19
June 2010. Web. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/06/19/
mexico.mayor.killed/ index.html?hpt=T1>.
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Magazines
The Economist
Considered the gold standard by many for coverage of world economic issues. Published every
week, it is especially helpful for newly developing situations. Much of this outline was based on
items that originally appeared and were continually referenced in this publication.
Foreign Affairs
Journal published every two months, it remains one of the most informative publications covering
the world. Especially useful for some of the more obscure situations that aren’t normally covered
in Newsweek, Time, or U.S. News and World Report.
Websites
Amnesty International: www.amnesty.org
The preeminent organization fighting against and detailing human rights violations or concerns
around the globe. The website has an easy search feature that allows one to search by country.
This will be especially useful when looking at indigenous peoples.
Council on Foreign Relations: www.cfr.org
A non-profit think tank that publishes thought-provoking articles and analyses about a variety of
global issues. Their web site features separate sections for the different regions of the globe.
Under Regions click on the link for “Americas.”
Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org
Human Rights Watch is an independent organization that isn’t affiliated with any government. It
seeks, like Amnesty International, to highlight abuses and specifically campaigns to force
governments to take action.
Organization of American States: www.oas.org
One of the main forums for political discussion and policy-making in Western Hemisphere
concerns. This organization's main goal has been to build cooperation between and among the
various countries that make up the Americas.
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