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Re: two topic suggestions

SH says:
>
>I have a couple of problems with these resolutions.  First, they stray
>rather significantly from the topic area, which is _US policy_ towards
>Latin America.

I say:
As far as I knew, the section of information posted after the problem area
was just suggestion material.  With that in mind, such topical analysis as
Korcok has posted would be completely legitimate.  If the little blurb that
Dr. Stepp posted after each problem area (In her original topic area post)
were some kind of bonding issue, then any form of non-policy resolution
would automatically barred, which according to the topic survey was
strongly disagreed with.

SH says:
Although this argument might be dismissed by some, it
>would seem that the core of the problem area--US policy actions--would be
>effects topical.

I mumble:
<i'm not coherent enough to understand this>

SH says:
>Second, I have a feeling that the literature on Cuban domestic reforms
>would be insufficient compared to the literature on US policy in Latin
>America.

I respond:
Here I would agree, it'd be kindof tough to not only learn about such
reforms, but additionally the process by which the Cuban Government adopts
such reforms.  It would, however be highly educational.  Especially on the
"South American government" suggestion.  We are oblivious to most of the
intricacies and interworkings of South American governments.  This process
of non-us resolutional actors would also revolutionize debate.  Instead of
pulling all of the generic US Policy formation evidence and structuring
argumentation around US policy, squads would actually be learning something
completely new.  It would definately be interesting. (Such evidence can be
found in political theory textbooks regarding institutional legitimacy,
power, authority, etc.)  I just finished reading a book about Cuba that
explores such areas.  I think it was by José Murillo (dont hve it in front
of me).

>It seems that these goal could be reached through another resolution (a
>counterplan :)

Wouldn't that construct a fair division of the topic?

>Resolved: That the United States government should substantially change
>its foreign policy toward Cuba.

How could such a resolution achieve the same effect as Cuba going through
reforms.  At the level that you are using a remote (the us) to shape Cuban
policies, the outcome becomes uncertain, whereas w/ cuba as the actor, plan
would gain more workability and solvency than counterplan.  As well as
avoiding heg and other disadvantages.


>Resolved: That the US government should substantially increase its
>developmental aid in one or more of following areas: rainforest protection,
>debt relief, species preservation.

W/ this as the topic instead of korcok's example, we'd still be examining
the entire debate through the eyes of a US actor, thus decreasing the
educational benefits of learning about the structure of South American
governments, something far more educational than the repetitive US based
argumentation and policy formation.  I doubt such ideas will be adopted
this semester, but it would definately be a fun area to experiment with and
debate on.  Problem does exist that a majority of the literature on South
American Policy formation may be written in spanish.

>That way, the US government is the agent, and the growth vs. the
>environment debate is still in effect (except that the neg gets the
>growth bad and movements positions, which makes a certain amount of sense).

Neg would also get an agent counterplan if they wanted it.  Or we could
just dive in head first to the alt-agent resolution and then neg could try
to run "let the USA do it."

Overall, the alternative actor analysis would definately be an experience.
I'm not sure how novices would respond to it.

later all,


  jason griffith
------------------
   los rios db8
------------------
death by discourse
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