The Modest Novice LD Resolution

Diane weighed in, in the comments, with the actual wording the NFL used when this topic came up in the NFL last.  Who’d've thunk actual research and knowing things might help:

Resolved: Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified

I kinda like it.  It does introduce morality, but really, this topic has to introduce morality within the framework of rights.  As Jim said, the major grounds that civil disobedience can be justified is on personal morality, but it does limit Aff to that ground, which makes the novice ideal debate a straight up personal morality vs societal rights contest.  Also, the word “justified” is also less problematic with “morally” hanging in front of it.

It’s true, anyone can comment, though to avoid spammers the first comment you make on a given account must be moderated by yours truly first.  Then you have free reign to say whatever you please.  Which might turn out to be unfortunate, but c’est la vie.

To make an actual post, however, requires further superpowers.  I’m sure once we get into the “making curriculum” part of this exercise, more people will want said powers.  Just let me know.

What can I say, Jim inspires me.  At any rate, Jim listed a bunch of different takes on the topic.  I’m sure you think it’s too long.  So I’m going to add another.

I put this one in a comment two posts ago, but perhaps it was buried, since it got zero response.  Or perhaps it’s terrible, that’s fine too.  But what about turning the topic around a little to try to give the negative better ground.  Something like “Individuals have the right to use civil disobedience when protesting unjust conditions.”

Does making affirmtatives defend CD as a right, not just a potentially just action, balance the topic more?

This website is intended for coaches of Lincoln Douglas in the Northeast, loosely defined as New England, New York and New Jersey, whose novices are going to tournaments using the repeating Modest Novice Topic, to post and share information, readings, research and materials useful in the teaching of LD Debate through this topic.