Positions

Studies show that the wealthy are suffering psychologically more than the poor.

Abraham Lincoln never considered himself to be an abolitionist, nor did he have plans to end slavery when beginning his term as president. Lincoln realized it would increase his political power by denouncing slavery and that choosing a side in the impending Civil War was inevitable.

Abraham Lincoln's legacy is that of a man and President of the people. His acts during his presidency, such as the Emancipation Proclamation and his support of the end of slavery were all markers of his commitment to bettering social justice and equality for all people.

This position presents Formalism and New Criticism as a way to interpret literature. It holds that meaning resides in the text alone—its language, structure, and form—rather than in the author's intent or the reader's response, which it treats as irrelevant.

This position holds that forms of cannibalism already exist within mainstream society. It points to endocannibalism as a spiritual rite, the consumption of placenta as a modern practice, and the Christian Eucharist as a metaphorical form of cannibalism.

This position holds that fossil fuels should be phased out immediately. It argues that too much time has already been lost, and that humankind should make a collective decision to begin eliminating fossil fuels as a primary energy source without further delay.

This position holds that fossil fuels should be phased out slowly rather than all at once. It argues that an immediate global switch to renewable energy is unrealistic, and that abruptly abandoning fossil fuels would inflict disastrous economic damage worldwide.

This position holds that a four-day working week should be adopted. Its arguments contend that shorter hours improve workers' physical and mental health, that the model can save jobs and help firms survive downturns, and that trials have shown it raises productivity rather than lowering output.

This position opposes adopting a four-day working week, holding that the costs outweigh the benefits. Its arguments warn that compressing the week can erode customer service where demand runs to longer hours, and that the same workload across fewer days may push employees to overwork.

This position holds that the Syrian crisis requires free and fair elections. It argues a new codified constitution must be established to reach a democratic resolution, that a strong opposition must be able to compete, that the people must decide their fate, and that the UN should observe.

This position holds that much of Freud's thinking is problematic by today's standards. It points to his handling of recovered memories, his dismissal of reported abuse as fantasy, his views on female sexuality, and beliefs critics say are grounded in sexism and shaped by his own baggage.

This position holds that public funding should be increased specifically for STEM subjects. It argues that reducing or removing the cost of science, technology, engineering and maths degrees would widen access to these essential careers for capable students who might otherwise be priced out.

This position argues that gay marriage should be illegal. It holds that recognising same-sex unions would undermine the fidelity and institution of marriage, and that homosexuality conflicts with many religious beliefs—a stance opposed by LGBTQ rights advocates.

This position holds that gay marriage should be legalised. It argues that same-sex couples deserve the same rights as heterosexual ones, that marriage is a fundamental right and its definition has always evolved, and that withholding it amounts to discrimination.

This position holds that gender is a social construct, shaped by societal and cultural influences rather than biology. It points to non-binary genders found across cultures, and to the 'tabula rasa' view that people are a blank slate at birth on which society writes gender.

This position holds that gender is a social construct. It argues society shapes the gender roles we play—through upbringing, culture, and generational differences—and that gender norms vary across cultures, showing they are learned and embodied rather than fixed by nature.

This position holds that gender is an amalgamation of nature and nurture. It argues both biological and societal factors shape the gender identity a person comes to hold—that gender roles have evolutionary, biological roots while also being moulded and reshaped by society.

This position holds that gender is determined by biological factors. It argues, drawing on innatism and evolutionary theory, that gender identity and the differences between the sexes are rooted in biology — present from birth rather than written onto a blank slate by society.

This position holds that gender is determined by both nature and nurture. It argues that biology and social environment together shape how gender develops—an idea captured by the biosocial theory of gender, which sees innate factors and upbringing as working hand in hand.

Biochemical differences in males and females determine their gender roles, and their innate inclination towards certain behaviours. This behaviour is external to societal influences.

The trans movement is being weaponized by radical activists with a political and social agenda. Gender and identity are secondary to the end goal of coercing conformity and controlling free speech.

This position names Genghis Khan the most powerful person in history. It argues he founded the largest contiguous empire ever, exercising absolute rule across Asia, and commanded one of the most formidable and feared militaries the world has ever seen.

The US gun laws mean every police engagement is potentially life threatening. Corrupted by their power over life and death, police feel above the law, which feeds their behaviour and how others respond to them.

This position holds that George Floyd's death was simply a murder, not a symbol of wider issues. It argues an isolated killing cannot be used to draw broad conclusions about American society or politics—a view whose proponents often also dispute the protest movement that followed.

This position names George Lazenby, star of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the best James Bond. It argues his single, underrated outing as 007—remembered for the wry line 'this never happened to the other fellow'—is overdue for critical rehabilitation.

This position holds that Germany alone bears responsibility for the outbreak of World War I. It argues that Germany's aggressive foreign policy stoked tensions and coerced its ally Austria-Hungary into conflict, and that it was widely seen as the chief threat to European peace.

This position holds that you should give beggars food rather than money. It argues that food is a basic necessity that directly meets a real need and cannot be misused — and that handing over something other than cash shows genuine care for the person.

This position holds that you should give to charities rather than directly to beggars. It argues that charities know what people who are homeless actually need and can direct help more effectively — so a donation channelled through them ends up helping more people, more reliably.

Blame the experts. From world-leading economists to the Bulgarian mystic Baba Vanga, many with the ability to predict financial events predicted a 2020 crash years ago.

This position holds that globalization is bad. It argues globalization fuels inequality, erodes worker protections in a 'race to the bottom,' reduces public revenues, degrades the environment, and leaves the world more vulnerable to the rapid spread of infectious diseases.