2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: Hey you! Learn democracy
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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11/14/07 - In the 2006 election only about 24 percent of voters between 18 and 29 came to vote at the polls, according to The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement. And students wonder why Washington, D.C. focuses on issues of pension reform, Medicare and prescription drugs. Perhaps if students were more educated on the issues they would turn out to the polls in greater force.
Well tonight the University of Rhode Island community has a chance to learn firsthand about the issues of the two major parties. The Pre-Law Society is sponsoring a debate at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Atrium 2 between the College Democrats and College Republicans.
What makes this debate more than petty back-and-forth banter is that it will be scored by a panel composed of those that hold backgrounds in political science. Participants will be forced to debate policy rather than trade meaningless personal jabs.
The debate holds promise to be entertaining as well as informative. The College Republicans are not exactly known for being "politically correct" and the College Democrats have been relatively low-key compared to their counterparts. What the two groups have up their sleeves is anyone's guess.
But the debate will only be as good as those who watch it. People debating gather energy and vigor from the crowd. Applause or boos will push those debating to convey a stronger point or vigorously defend their position. Students in the seats will do nothing but foster the debate.
The exercise also shows students a valuable lesson in politics. As the media bombard students with coverage of presidential candidate debates, it's important for students to understand what a debate actually means.
The rules, of course, vary from one forum to another, but the basic premise remains the same. How do participants "spin" their positions? What information does one side conveniently "forget" to share?
But through all that spin there are some real policy issues that need addressing today. The debate by students' peers should be more accessible and approachable than if it was delivered by those older that have left the university community.
And while students might not have the chance to ask questions during the debate, there is a hope it will spur active discussion afterwards. Debate about today's political issues need not be limited to classrooms alone. There's no excuse for students not to spend a small amount of their time participating in an exercise of democracy.
Well tonight the University of Rhode Island community has a chance to learn firsthand about the issues of the two major parties. The Pre-Law Society is sponsoring a debate at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Atrium 2 between the College Democrats and College Republicans.
What makes this debate more than petty back-and-forth banter is that it will be scored by a panel composed of those that hold backgrounds in political science. Participants will be forced to debate policy rather than trade meaningless personal jabs.
The debate holds promise to be entertaining as well as informative. The College Republicans are not exactly known for being "politically correct" and the College Democrats have been relatively low-key compared to their counterparts. What the two groups have up their sleeves is anyone's guess.
But the debate will only be as good as those who watch it. People debating gather energy and vigor from the crowd. Applause or boos will push those debating to convey a stronger point or vigorously defend their position. Students in the seats will do nothing but foster the debate.
The exercise also shows students a valuable lesson in politics. As the media bombard students with coverage of presidential candidate debates, it's important for students to understand what a debate actually means.
The rules, of course, vary from one forum to another, but the basic premise remains the same. How do participants "spin" their positions? What information does one side conveniently "forget" to share?
But through all that spin there are some real policy issues that need addressing today. The debate by students' peers should be more accessible and approachable than if it was delivered by those older that have left the university community.
And while students might not have the chance to ask questions during the debate, there is a hope it will spur active discussion afterwards. Debate about today's political issues need not be limited to classrooms alone. There's no excuse for students not to spend a small amount of their time participating in an exercise of democracy.