FEATURED DEBATE

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

Narendra Modi is India’s current Prime Minister and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He made his first US state visit in June 2023, which sees India as a vital partner for safety in the Indo-Pacific region and counterterrorism. Under his tenure, India has downgraded from being a free democracy to an electoral autocracy, according to V-Dem Institute, but he’s popular among citizens and members of the Indian diaspora. Is there hope for better times? Those who agree applaud Modi’s efforts to tackle corruption, increase technological advancements, and promote India as a global player on the world stage. They also point…

ARGUING YES

Sameer Lalwani

Senior Expert in South Asia Programs at the United States Institute of Peace

September 22, 2023

LEARN MORE

ARGUING NO

Prerna Singh

Associate Professor of Political Science and International and Public Affairs at Brown University

FEATURED DEBATE

September 22, 2023

LEARN MORE

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

ARGUING YES

Sameer Lalwani

Senior Expert in South Asia Programs at the United States Institute of Peace

ARGUING NO

Prerna Singh

Associate Professor of Political Science and International and Public Affairs at Brown University

September 8, 2023

LEARN MORE

Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?

According to an October 2022 Pew survey, “88% of US adults say that marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use.” While marijuana legalization is gaining more and more cultural acceptance, effectively regulating drugs…

With Teresa Haley, Toi Hutchinson, Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Cat Packer
September 08, 2023

September 15, 2023

LEARN MORE

Does America Need A Third Party?

At the United States’ founding, the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans were the first political parties, eventually evolving into the Democratic and Republican parties we know today. While a two-party system has been the standard, third parties…

With Daniel DiSalvo, Andrew Yang
September 15, 2023

THE LATEST

Explore All

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

With Sameer Lalwani, Prerna Singh
September 22, 2023

Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?

What Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, or Eddie Murphy jokes would be deemed offensive by today’s standards? From comedy specials to TV shows and movies, what makes us laugh has come under scrutiny. Some old jokes…

With Michael Ian Black, Lou Perez
September 20, 2023

Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets?

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a series of economic sanctions were imposed on Russia by multiple countries, including the US and the European Union. These sanctions targeted Russian individuals and entities, along with finance,…

With Benn Steil, Lawrence Summers
September 19, 2023

Does America Need A Third Party?

With Daniel DiSalvo, Andrew Yang
September 15, 2023

Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?

With Teresa Haley, Toi Hutchinson, Paul J. Larkin, Jr., Cat Packer
September 08, 2023

Is Objectivity Essential to Journalism?

For decades, objectivity has been cited as journalism's highest guiding principle and the gold standard. "Being objective" promised that journalists would stick only "to the facts" and deliver both sides of the story, keeping their…

With Leonard Downie Jr., Bret Stephens
August 25, 2023

Should We Erase Bad Memories?

In the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kate Winslet’s character undergoes a procedure to erase her bad memories of her ex-boyfriend. But what if we could do the same in real life?…

With Nita Farahany, Sigal Samuel
August 18, 2023

Does Color Blindness Perpetuate Racism?

When you think about the world’s most intractable problems, racial inequality is among the most challenging. Societies have grappled not just with how to treat community members equitably in public spaces, but how to judge…

With Jamelle Bouie, Coleman Hughes
August 11, 2023

Should NATO Admit Ukraine?

Currently, NATO has 31 member countries and there are four countries that have declared their desire to join the alliance, which includes Ukraine. Over the years, Ukraine has sought to move away from Russia's sphere…

With Garry Kasparov, Charles Kupchan
August 04, 2023

Should Prosecutors Pursue Minor Crimes?

In the United States, around 13 million misdemeanor cases are filed each year, which makes up about 80% of all cases that are processed. The district attorney’s offices in areas like Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and…

With Paul Butler, John Milhiser
July 07, 2023

Is Social Media Bad for Kids’ Mental Health?

Social media platforms have become an integral part of the modern digital landscape, shaping how young individuals connect, communicate, and perceive the world around them. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential negative consequences…

With Candice Odgers, Jim Steyer
June 25, 2023

Should the Government Raise the Retirement Age?

Many Americans expect to retire at 65, but beginning in 1983, the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits began gradually increasing to 67. Social Security provides at least half of the income for…

With Teresa Ghilarducci, Marc Goldwein
June 23, 2023

IN THE NEWS

Explore All

Is Netanyahu's Government Heading in the Wrong Direction?

Benjamin Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel’s history. After five elections happening in four years, Israeli voters re-elected him in November 2022 where he established a new government while on trial for corruption…

With Jeremy Ben-Ami, Caroline Glick
May 26, 2023

Is The Banking System Safer Than It Was in 2008?

Silicon Valley Bank. Signature Bank. Credit Suisse. The global banking system may be facing its most significant crisis since 2008. Some say eroding regulations, sharp interest rate rises, and the uncertain crypto landscape ring serious…

With Jason Furman, Gillian Tett
April 06, 2023

Will ChatGPT Do More Harm Than Good?

It’s poised to “change our world.” That’s according to Bill Gates, referencing an advanced AI chatbot called ChatGPT, which seems to be all the rage. The tool, which was developed by OpenAI and backed by a company Gates…

With Gary Marcus, Keith Teare
February 24, 2023

Should The U.S. Ban TikTok?

With one billion active users across more than 150 countries, TikTok is by many measures the world’s most successful video app. Nearly one in three Americans have an account. It is the most downloaded app…

With Milton Mueller, Kori Schake
February 17, 2023

Is Affirmative Action Unfair to Asian Americans?

An affirmative action battle is again playing out at the highest levels, only this time with Asian Americans at the center of the controversy. At the heart of the matter is the question of whether…

With Lee Cheng, John Yang
December 02, 2022

Is It Right to End Roe?

The Supreme Court is poised to make a decision so controversial that even a leaked draft majority opinion can send shockwaves across the nation. In 98-pages, Justice Alito decried Roe v. Wade as “egregiously wrong…

With Sarah Isgur, Mary Ziegler
May 10, 2022

EDITOR'S PICKS

Do Unions Work For The Economy?

With Steven Greenhouse, Allison Schrager
October 21, 2022

Unions may be on the verge of a resurgence. After decades of declines, workers are organizing across household-name companies, like Starbucks, Amazon, and Google, at a pace not seen since the 1930s. A generation of stagnant wages, recent labor shortages, and the most vocally pro-union administration in recent memory, have all stoked key wins for American labor, including successful strikes at John Deere and Kellogg. In fact, recent polling shows public support for labor unions at 71%, its highest level…

Do Unions Work For The Economy?

With Steven Greenhouse, Allison Schrager
October 21, 2022

DEBATE COMMUNITY

Join a community of social and intellectual leaders that truly value the free exchange of ideas.

BECOME A MEMBER

EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS

Readings on our weekly debates, debater editorials, and news on issues that affect our everyday lives.

NEWSLETTER

SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE

Help us bring debate to communities and classrooms across the nation.

DONATE

Features

Topics

SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE

FEATURED DEBATE

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

Sameer Lalwani

Prerna Singh

FEATURED DEBATE

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

Sameer Lalwani

Prerna Singh

Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?

Does America Need A Third Party?

THE LATEST

Is Modi’s India Heading in the Right Direction?

Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?

Should Ukraine Get Russia’s Frozen Assets?

Does America Need A Third Party?

Is Legalizing Marijuana a Mistake?

Is Objectivity Essential to Journalism?

Should We Erase Bad Memories?

Does Color Blindness Perpetuate Racism?

Should NATO Admit Ukraine?

Should Prosecutors Pursue Minor Crimes?

Is Social Media Bad for Kids’ Mental Health?

Should the Government Raise the Retirement Age?

TRENDING

Is Wokeness Killing Comedy?

Should NATO Admit Ukraine?

What does it mean to "win" an argument?

Changing Your Mind, with Adam Grant, Ray Dalio, and Bo Seo

IN THE NEWS

Is Netanyahu's Government Heading in the Wrong Direction?

Is The Banking System Safer Than It Was in 2008?

Will ChatGPT Do More Harm Than Good?

Should The U.S. Ban TikTok?

Is Affirmative Action Unfair to Asian Americans?

Is It Right to End Roe?

EDITOR'S PICKS

Do Unions Work For The Economy?

Do Unions Work For The Economy?

DEBATE COMMUNITY

EDUCATIONAL BRIEFS

SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE

Be Curious. Be Open-Minded. Be Open to Debate.

Intelligence Squared U.S.Is now “Open to Debate”

Intelligence Squared U.S.
Is now “Open to Debate”