Types of Motion
Actor Motions
Actor motions assign the debate to a specific entity (e.g., governments, corporations, or individuals). The actor’s unique priorities and context shape the debate.
Actor Motions
Perspective-Driven Arguments
Debaters must understand and argue from the perspective of the assigned actor, even if it diverges from their personal beliefs.
For example, a motion like “This House, as the United States, would prioritize trade relations with China over human rights concerns” requires engaging with U.S. national interests rather than universal moral principles.
Each actor has unique goals and responsibilities.
Governments prioritize public welfare, economic growth, or national security.
Corporations focus on profitability, innovation, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Social movements aim for ideological consistency, public engagement, and advocacy.
Individuals consider personal reputation, ethical consistency, and societal impact.
Strategic and Moral Considerations
Actor motions often require balancing ethical considerations with practical constraints or strategic interests.
Nuanced Framing
Requires understanding the actor’s historical actions, values, and potential trade-offs.
The burden of proof lies in demonstrating alignment with the actor’s objectives while addressing risks or alternative strategies.
Proposition’s Burden
Align with the Actor’s Priorities:
Understand the Actor’s Goals and identify the actor’s key motivations and constraints.
Justify the Action:
Explain how the proposed action serves these goals.
Example: For “This House, as Meta, would abandon the metaverse project,” the Proposition could argue that Meta’s current investments are not yielding sufficient returns, and reallocating resources would improve shareholder confidence and profitability.
Emphasize Long-Term Benefits
Credibility and Impact:
Show how the action enhances the actor’s reputation or long-term effectiveness.
Example: For “This House, as the feminist movement, would reject carceral feminism,” the Proposition could argue that embracing transformative justice aligns with feminist values of dismantling systemic oppression, bolstering the movement’s credibility among marginalized communities.
Sustainability of Outcomes:
Discuss how the action leads to sustainable or scalable benefits.
Address Risks and Trade-offs
Preempt Criticism
Acknowledge potential drawbacks or challenges of the proposed action. Show how these risks are mitigated or outweighed by benefits.
Example: In “This House, as the feminist movement, would reject carceral feminism,” the Proposition could address concerns about the lack of immediate justice for survivors by emphasizing the importance of systemic change in preventing future harm.
Opposition’s Burden
Challenge the Alignment
Argue that the proposed action undermines or fails to align with the actor’s core objectives.
Example: For “This House, as Meta, would abandon the metaverse project,” the Opposition could argue that the metaverse aligns with Meta’s long-term vision for digital connectivity and innovation.
Highlight Negative Impacts
Unintended Consequences:
Discuss how the action could harm the actor’s reputation, effectiveness, or key stakeholders.
Example: For “This House, as the United States, would prioritize trade relations with China over human rights concerns,” the Opposition could argue that ignoring human rights erodes the U.S.’s global moral authority, potentially destabilizing alliances.
Opportunity Costs:
Emphasize what the actor loses by pursuing the proposed action.
Example: For “This House, as a prominent celebrity, would publicly support environmental activism,” the Opposition could argue that alienating fans or sponsors limits the celebrity’s ability to fund impactful causes.
Offer a Counterproposal (When Relevant)
If the actor’s goals can be better achieved through a different approach, propose it.
Example: In “This House, as Meta, would abandon the metaverse project,” the Opposition could propose pivoting the project towards specific sectors like education or healthcare to improve feasibility and public perception.