Novice Policy Topic Areas

2022-23

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, cybersecurity. 

Topic Areas

1. Artificial Intelligence: Restrict development and/or use of Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs)

2. Biotechnology: Ban the use of germline genetic engineering in humans 

3. Biotechnology: Substantially increase funding for vaccine research

4. Biotechnology: Increase data sharing and transparency of info in regards to bioterror 

5. Cyber: Ban offensive cyber operations

See the NFHS website for more information regarding novice policy cases

2019-20

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce Direct Commercial Sales and/or Foreign Military Sales of arms from the United States. 

Topic Areas

1. Reduce arms sales to Saudi Arabia alone or to the Saudi coalition

2. Humanitarian standards limited to the following: Leahy Law Reform, Thrall & Dorminey/Risk Assessment, or Broad Process Policy

3. Reduce all arms sales or plan may be a specific deal with Taiwan

4. Blanket reduction of all small arms sales limited to Mexico, Nigeria, and/or the Philippines (any of those three countries or any combination of the three countries, but no other specific country Affirmative cases)

5. Ending the Foreign Military Financing of all arms sales or a plan may be a specific deal with Israel/Palestine

Check out the National Debate Coaches Association's (NDCA) Novice Packets for resources/models for the Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Humanitarian Debates: http://www.debatecoaches.org/2018-2019-novice-packet

2018-19

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its restrictions on legal immigration to the United States.

Topic Areas

1. Abolish ICE

2. High-Skilled Immigration

3. Syrian Refugees/Travel Ban

4. DACA

5. PSG Asylum

2017-18

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States.

Topic Areas

1. School-to-Prison Pipeline

2. STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)

3. Title 1

4. Right to Education (overturn San Antonio Independent School District v Rodriguez)

5. Desegregation

2016-17

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic and/or diplomatic engagement with the People’s Republic of China.

Topic Areas

1. Addressing human rights abuses for workers in China.

2. Grand Bargain

3. Energy Cooperation

4. Outer Space

5. Intellectual Property Rights

2015-16

Resolution

Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially curtail its domestic surveillance.

Topic Areas

1. Limit collection of genetic info to people actually convicted, not upon arrest

2. Decrease use of drones

3. Repeal exec order 12333 (can't look at content)

4. Dismantle some/all border surveillance

5. Limit/ban use of phone numbers and email addresses in metadata