The default theme currently being considered is Elections '09.
Criticism leveled at the above and suggestions for alternatives are cordially demanded.
Also, lets start thinking about speakers....
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Theme for the Policy Debate '08
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19 comments:
Per se elections '09 is a great topic.
Strengths:
-relevance
-suitable prism to view all policy through
-analysis of effect of various policies on electorate could be a desirable sub-text to the proceedings
Weaknesses:
-could turn partisan
-could be more on politics than on policy
The format and motion on the floor will have to be discussed in some detail. On each of the 4 divisions (presuming we stick to roughly the same divisions as last time)the motion would probably end up being whether the party-in-waiting would provide better defense/foreign/economic etc policies. Hence my worry about partisan arguments.
but on the whole I don't think there's any weakness that cannot be overcome.
Elections 09' would be bordering on a controversial topic where speakers may be vary to take stands that clearly distinguish one from the other and as Sushrut pointed out it will be more politics than policy.
Better than that we could get 4 areas of policy and each speaker for that, giving a broad perspective as to how the Elections should go so as to get the best govt. possible... something on those lines! Just a thought!
As I mentioned in my email, WE should discuss privatization of state utilities like water telecom etc. A more hypothetical discussion could center on private participation in building high speed rail networks across the country... pros and cons.
If we're desperate for topics, we can always invite a commie and a capitalist to slug it out on something random.
Um... one more thing. WE should try and get some more people to come. Last year's audience consisted mostly of debating society people. Lets hype up the show a little bit more.
Rohan last year we didn't publicise it much!
This year if budget allows we could go in for an all city publicity campaign sort of thing.
And Shruti, you're a champ at that. You will have to bring your A-game to this
Sushrut that doesn't even need to be said ya...
Just give me a good allocation!!! Lol
On a more serious note, lets settle on a topic!
So, following the discussions in this morning's meeting:-
1. Elections (whichever year they end up taking place in) will always be more about politics than policy. To my mind, the only worthwhile way to conduct a debate on Elections is to get hold of any party's electoral manifesto, and then consider the extent to which they can or will deliver on their promises. Plus what to do if they don't. But then that goes into electoral reform, which is almost the last thing on policy agendas right now :)
2. Budget 2009 does address this major flaw, but runs the risk of becoming either too speculative or too technical. Budget allocations are no doubt a function of policy (and vice versa) but somehow I doubt economics is - if I may plagiarise here - a suitable prism to view all policy through.
3. I'd suggested Sustainability as a topic in and of itself. It's not just about sustainable development - though that is undoubtedly a key area for policy initiatives. It lends itself to application in a variety of areas (economy, environment, stability of government, population policy, education/training of labour force, food security, energy security, foreign policy and defence, even disinvestment or infrastructural development)
and can include such major current fascinations as inflation, the carbon credit regime, coalition governments, contraception and abortion, reservations, PDS, the nuclear deal, Sino-Indian relations/Kashmir/Tibet, to an extent terrorism, plus SEZ's, river linking, the Golden Quadrilateral etc. etc. etc.
Major con I can see right now is that many of those obvious interpretations are black holes, in as much as your entire debate could sink into people just holding adverse positions on any one point. Plus some of those are areas you say are already done or not really to be touched. But then we could pick our panelists accordingly, right?
And speaking of panelists, I must say I still have doubts as to whether 4 is the ideal number. That apart, it may be worthwhile to have on the panel
1. Someone major from industry, ideally from CII or some such body which does a fair bit of policy-oriented lobbying anyway. To give a view of whether people are ready to implement these proposed policies at all...
2. A foreign diplomat, or - on the assumption that s/he would speak more freely - a foreign journalist. I'm sure that an outside view on many of these topics - especially in relation to foreign policy, or even domestic policy where it clashes with the policy of that person's country - would be highly interesting. Not to mention informative. The challenge would be to find a sufficiently well-informed and astute observer who is willing to come to a public platform. Anyone know where to find Mark Tully?
As discussed at today's meet...elections 09 would become too political a topic and not much of policy will be debated...the other suggestion about Budget 09, i think, would be a great idea because Budget includes every sector of government policy like education, health, agriculture and so on...thus under a compact(am not getting the right word) topic, a comprehensive debate on govt policy can take place, as is the objective of the Policy Debate...moreover inflation and terrorism are some of the current topics in the public domain which can be covered through the topic.
As far as the speakers are concerned, i think, when we debate govt policy, i think someone representing govt policy should be asked to come and speak. My suggestion would be someone Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission (PC)or someone equivalent. I understand these people are difficult to get to come and speak, but we can try and if we succeed we can get great publicity too...I suggest Montek Singh Ahluwalia because Planning Commission is considered to be the symbol of govt policy, so if not the Deputy Chairman then atleast some member of the PC should be invited...these are a few suggestions...
On speakers:
Montek & Mark Tully are both great. Probably too great. Who was that other BBC guy who used to be the primo-gora on all Indian issues? A brit who wrote tons of books on India. Damn I cant remember.
P Sainath will always be a favourite. If we can get him, nothing like it.
I also like the business house idea. A lot of economic reform can be discussed. FEMA people in the house?
a lot needs to be done w.r.t the topic so maybe our speaker list can wait a little while longer
On topics:
I would've been beaten to death (or reincarnation) by my scientific contemporaries if I'd suggested Paul Brunton as a speaker so I didn't. But i will say that old faith, secularism and westernisation do make a pretty good blend and to investigate policy shifts in light of this juxtaposition would be fascinating. I recall a phrase from a heated debate I once had with Mandar... "Does an Indian have the right to moral independence?" Enough new policy issues have emerged which can be discussed in this context. The amarnath shrine, progress of indian muslims, growing extremism, political religiosity and finally a rapidly shrinking personal identity. but then again, I don't know if any of you share a passion for such debate. My point is merely that an anthropological investigation into our society and the policy responses that the various forces have generated will make for damn good debate.
Else, I'd go with Sustainability. At one level it's as vague as "public policy" so we choose our issues with much the same freedom as we did last year and direct the debate to address each from the vantage point of sustainability. Could work . What say Messrs. Neha & Dhvani? Can a dossier be drafted along these lines?
So as of now Elections 09' is out right? Though if I have to see it from the press point of view or the viewership point of you Elections and Budget make amazing topics. Audience participation is the maximum here. Also since we are hoping to make it bigger, these 2 topics give it an ideal platform. Though as I said earlier they can get to political.
I would think a topic on the Emerging Economy of India would make a good debate. The topic is broad enough to include a variety of topics but narrow enough to get specialised speakers from a variety of fields!
Just a thought
How about the following topic (or a variant thereof):
Given the current trend or as some may put it the "advent" of the engagement of neo-political repartee and concern among the bourgeois, which in turn gives rise to subliminal multicultural/ multistratous inconsistency, what is the answer to todays irreverent attitude towards the multitudes? Are they destined to remain underlings and minions forever?
In other words, what must be done with regards to the lower class and its problems? The two sides – Capitalism & Communism.
Should you have any inputs, please reply.
-Sigmund
sounds like a salad fight between Capitalists and commies.
I agree with Rohan. "Are they destined to remain underlings forever"?
The topic is too vast and been done to death, though probably never expressed in such sophisticated language.
Sustainable development is again vast but in a way that we could shape it to our needs.
But surely someone else thinks that after Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Surat, SIMI and Amarnath we need SOMETHING on neo-secularism in India. Policies on identity and religion there's so much to that and the issue is so relevant that it would be criminal to NOT discuss it. If there is any opposition/ agreement let it be voiced now.
Thus far the only viable suggestion in my opinion is Sustainability
So, sustainability apart, I think the "India as a Superpower" topic also has the scope to cover all the areas we were looking at. The negative (or at least ironic) flipside addresses both the capitalism and its benefits and the policies towards various religious-ethnic groups as well.
Somebody has to find something better to call this, though. I don't know about audience - but I personally will not be seen anywhere near a debate that is themed "India as a Superpower"...
Mohan Guruswamy would be an excellent choice for the left side of the debate, assuming we still want the debate to represent right and left.
he writes for tehelka. check him out
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