Political debates are a vital part of democracy. They inform voters about the candidates and their positions on key issues. They promote the diversity of opinions and expression in our societies. They contribute to citizens’ civic education (why and how to vote, the role of elected officials and the constitution).
They also serve to highlight priorities of general interest at local, national and global levels. However, the process of integrating debate into an electoral campaign is not without its challenges.
Some political debates turn into a battle of smear tactics and personal attacks, while others are productive conversations that can help shape people’s views about the world. In my research, I’ve found that it is rare for someone to change their political view based on one particular argument. Instead, they often change their views by engaging in sincere, reflective questions and seeking to understand the experiences, interests and convictions of those with different viewpoints.
To make political debates more productive, it’s important to set clear ground rules for the participants. Ideally, moderators will ensure that debates are respectful of all participants, and they should avoid focusing on personal attacks. The debate format should also be flexible enough to encourage interaction and dialogue. In addition, debates should be held in neutral spaces. For example, the Commission on Presidential Debates has set a minimum requirement of 15,000 square feet for hosting a presidential debate, and it only selects colleges and universities that meet this size and are accessible to large numbers of people.
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