Questions
997 questions in the encyclopedia.
Should schools continue Eurocentric curriculums?
From releasing statements about racial equity to bolstering workplace diversity, society is taking steps to be more racially aware. Schools too, as microcosms of society, have raised questions about the racial inclusivity of their curriculums
Should schools have armed security guards?
Should schools be protected by armed security guards? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that schools should have armed guards, and that they should not — weighing safety against the risks of guns on campus.
Should schools have dress codes?
i mean stuff like "cover all undergarments, no swearing or inappropriate images or texts" would be fine and a good only rule, but do we really need all the stuff about skirt length, hoodies, shorts, crop tops, ripped jeans, etc. ? I feel like school dress codes are also mainly aimed at female or afab students, and it seems a bit sexist. i could be missing an essential point, but do yall thing stricter dress codes are necessary? What do yall think should be a standard dress code?
Should scienific research get more governmental funding?
Should governments spend more on scientific research? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that scientific research should receive more public funding, and that it should not.
Should scientific research focus on facial coding systems to explain what people are thinking?
Should science invest in facial-coding systems that read emotions and thoughts from expressions? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that research should focus on facial coding, and that it should not.
Should Scotland seek independence?
Although they were once thought to share a common destiny, the relationship between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom has recently been under debate. Since the failed independence referendum in 2014, the country's politics have revolved around Scottish nationalism and the nation's future with the rest of the Union. Should they seek to end their more than 300-year long union with England and the rest of the UK?
Should sentient artificial intelligence have human rights?
If artificial intelligence ever became sentient, should it have rights? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that sentient AI should have human rights, and that it should not.
Should sex education be taught in schools?
Teenagers receive a constant stream of sexual imagery and information. Whose responsibility is it to equip children and teens with the knowledge to form attitudes about sex, relationships and intimacy? Is it the parents'? Or should educators provide teens with sex education classes in schools?
Should sex work be decriminalised?
Should sex work be removed from the criminal law? This entry maps the positions on the question — that sex work should be fully decriminalised, that it should be partially decriminalised, and that it should not be decriminalised at all.
Should social media be banned in schools?
Should schools ban students from using social media? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that social media should be banned in schools, and that it should not — weighing distraction and harm against connection and learning.
Should social media companies crack down on white supremacists?
Should social media platforms actively remove white supremacists? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that companies should crack down on them, and that they should not — weighing safety against free expression.
Should standardised testing be abolished
Should standardised testing be done away with? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that standardised testing should be abolished, and that it should not — weighing fairness and stress against accountability and comparison.
Should startups take venture capital?
Should startups raise venture capital? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that startups should take VC funding, and that they should not — weighing growth and resources against control and pressure.
Should state authority control social network activities?
Social networks are recently been blamed for several noxious behaviours: fake-news, social division, stalking, trolling, and on and on. Should state authorities impose control on these services?
Should straight people go to gay bars?
Should straight people frequent gay bars? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that straight people should be welcome in gay bars, and that they should not — weighing inclusion against the value of a safe space.
Should student loan debt be eliminated?
Global student loan debt consists of 44 million debtors who owe more than 1.5 trillion. For comparison, the USA’s population is 328 million with last years federal debt being 22.8 trillion. Per student, they owe 34,090, per American they owe 59,687. A difference where the student debt continues to rise.
Should Supreme Court Justices be elected or appointed?
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the legal hierarchy. The system in which Supreme Court justices are elected or appointed may shape how they act and decide on rulings. Even though justices are usually appointed, some argue that elections should be held to ensure an independent judiciary.
Should surrogacy be legal?
Surrogacy refers to the process through which a woman intentionally becomes pregnant with a baby she does not intend to keep, instead carrying the foetus for its intended parent or parents, usually because the parent is unable to do so without her. Surrogacy may be altruistic where the surrogate is not paid, or commercial where she is. Countries and states often have unclear legislation on surrogacy. Should surrogacy be legalized? Under what conditions should surrogacy be legal?
Should tablets replace textbooks?
As classrooms grow more digital, should tablets take the place of printed textbooks? This entry maps the positions on the question — that tablets should replace textbooks, that they should not, and that they should be an optional alternative.
Should teachers carry guns?
With the rise of gun violence and school shootings, many people believe that the school environment can be safer for everyone if teachers carry guns and have a defensive weapon to use against school shooters and other school aggressors.
Should the American working class vote for Trump or Biden?
30-50% of American adults would describe themselves as working class. A large part of the population, yet one which doesn’t feel heard. Both Trump and Biden have appealed to them by making themselves seem more relatable and trustworthy. If elected, how will they support this alienated demographic?
Should the BBC license be mandatory?
Introduced in 1923, more than 25 million UK TV owners pay the annual license fee that fund the BBC’s television and radio operations. Non-payment is considered a criminal offence and can result in a hefty fine. As other European nations move away from mandatory license fees, should the UK government follow suit?
Should the Cold War be considered a war?
The Cold War was a time of geopolitical hostility between the United States and the Soviet Union. This conflict spanned about 45 years until the Soviet Union dissolved in the early 90s. However, no physical fighting ever occurred, there was only a consistent state of friction between these two nations.
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Capital punishment is the government-sanctioned execution of an individual as retribution for a crime. Although most countries have abolished death penalty sentences, many retain this practice, including the United States, China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Should we abolish the death penalty, or support each government's right to punish crime as it sees fit?
Should the drinking age be 18?
The risks associated with drinking have led most countries to set a minimum legal age for the purchase or consumption of alcohol, but the specific drinking age varies from place to place. The most common drinking age around the world is 18, but the United States has a minimum legal drinking age of 21, and ages from 15 to 25 are used in other nations. Is 18 the ideal standard, or should the drinking age be 21? Should there be a minimum legal drinking age at all?
Should the Electoral College be abolished?
The Electoral College is a body of electors established by the United States Constitution every four years to elect the President and Vice-President of the United States. It has increasingly become a source of controversy; in both the 2000 and 2016 presidential election the winner of the popular vote did not win the Electoral College. Why do we have the Electoral College? What are the pros and cons of the Electoral College? And should it be abolished?
Should the Fed remove the mandate on sustainable maximum employment and focus on price stability?
The Federal Reserve currently has a dual mandate: (1) price stability; and (2) maximum sustainable employment. The original purpose of the Federal Reserve system, signed into law in 1913 by then President Woodrow Wilson, was to essentially provide effective management of the national currency and provide oversight of the banking system for nationwide financial stability. However, in 1977, the Federal Reserve Act was amended to include the second mandate regarding maximum sustainable employment. But what happens when the two mandates become a potential conflict of interest?
Should the House of Lords be abolished?
The role of the British Parliament’s second unelected chamber has been debated for a century to no avail. Despite minor reform in the late 1990s, the future of the House of Lords remains ambiguous at best. So what is the purpose of the House of Lords? Should it be left untouched, reformed, or ultimately abolished?
Should the monarchy be abolished?
The Royal Family is considered a pillar in the British cultural and political landscape. The country tunes in for their weddings, places bets on their baby names and earnestly discusses their wardrobe choices. However, polling shows that many people have a critical view of the royals and do not support the way they operate – for example their secrecy or tax-avoidance – or the public money that's spent on them. Given the monarchy's diminished role in politics, is it time to get rid of the royals? Or do they still serve a purpose in modern society?
Should the movie industry focus less on remakes and sequels?
Currently, many of the movies produced in the film industry are remakes, reboots or sequels. At times, these franchise films seem to outnumber films at the cinema with new, standalone plots. While remakes and sequels are often more certain bets for the producers, does this trend negatively impact the film world?
Should the North of England join Scotland?
Could a disaffected northern England break away from the south and align with Scotland? This entry maps the debate, setting out the positions that the North of England should join Scotland, and that it should not.
Should the police be defunded?
The process of defunding the police involves diverting funds from police departments and reallocating them to non-police forms of public safety such as social services, youth services, housing, education, healthcare, and other community resources.
Should the sale of human organs be legalised
Should people be allowed to buy and sell human organs? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the sale of human organs should be legalised, and that it should not — weighing supply against exploitation.
Should the supreme court justices be apolitical?
Should Supreme Court justices stand above politics? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that justices should remain apolitical, and that they need not — turning on the nature of constitutional judging.
Should the U.S. break up into smaller distinct nations?
The United States, the third largest country in the world, spans an entire continent and touches two oceans. A flight from coast to coast takes on average six hours, and a drive takes about 45 hours. It is an enormous place, encompassing dozens of ethnicities, states, ideologies, and dynamics. Such a large place brings with it disagreement, but whether those disagreements are large enough to result in the need for smaller nations is up for debate.
Should the U.S. mandate year-round education?
Year-round school in the U.S is neither a new concept nor an unusual one. Traditional school calendars and year-round schedules both provide students with about 180 days in the classroom. But instead of taking off much of the summertime, year-round school programs take a series of shorter breaks throughout the year. Should this model be mandated by the government?
Should the UK adopt proportional representation?
The UK currently uses the first-past-the-post voting method. In 2011, the UK held an 'Alternative Vote' Referendum. Although the proposal was rejected by 67.9% of voters, the referendum stoked debate about what voting method was best suited to the United Kingdom. Some people have touted proportional representation as the solution, which is different to the Alternative Vote because it directly mirrors public support for a specific party. Countries that use some form of proportional representation include Belgium, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Should the UK have remained in the EU?
Now that Brexit has happened, the UK has officially left the European Union. As the transition period continues and the effects of the decision to leave the EU begin to be felt, we will begin to be able to evaluate whether it was the right choice. Is the UK really stronger upon leaving the EU? Or would it have been better off to remain united?
Should the US maintain the embargo against Cuba?
In 1962 the US introduced a trade embargo, ‘El Bloqueo’, on Cuba, in response to the Cuban revolution. The embargo is an attempt to force regime change in a one-party state. Congressional support is needed to repeal the divisive measure, which has been written into statute.
Should the US recognize Palestine as a state?
Should the United States formally recognise Palestinian statehood? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the US should recognise Palestine as a state, and that it should not.
Should the wealthy pay more taxes?
Western societies have become more economically unequal, with a small minority holding the majority of the wealth while public services continue to decline. The back drop of austerity has made this inequality even starker, leading many to question whether the richest should be paying more to help fund public services?
Should the weight of fashion models be policed?
Fashion models have been in the scrutinizing eyes of the public for decades leading to debates regarding weight and health. These models are widely looked upon for inspiration for fashion and lifestyle, which may pose a problem for the younger generation. Young adults could be idolizing a toxic idealism. Some countries, like Spain and France, have instituted regulations regarding the weight of their models for health reasons. Some countries have not regulated this activity and are in the middle of a hot topic. Should the weight of fashion models be policed and regulated?
Should there be a tax on sugar?
When buying groceries you usually get a receipt and on the receipt is a section for the tax. Now the tax varies from state to state but despite what people might think it’s not the individual items that have a tax on them. Sugar itself is untaxed but people are starting to wonder if it should be.
Should there be a test to vote?
Voting is an important aspect of political decisions. It decides the outcome of a country for better or for worse. If voting is so important, should there be tests to make sure people know exactly what they're voting for? Or do the civilians of the country have no problem deciding what's best?
Should there be a united Ireland?
The status of Northern Ireland has been the subject of intense debate and decades of violence known as the Troubles, which started in the 1960s. Though Northern Ireland has been at peace since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, the question of whether Northern Island should remain in the United Kingdom or join the Republic of Ireland remains a source of contention. Should there be a united Ireland?
Should there be a world government?
Since the dawn of history, the idea of world government fueled the ambitions of ancient Kings, Japanese emperors, the Chinese utopia "Da Yitong (大同), Great Unity", the Romans, religious utopians and humanists. Should humans unite ? Is violent world domination likely to be ? Is it inevitable ?
Should there be advertisements for prescription drugs?
Prescription drug adverts are everywhere; from our television screens to celebrity promotions, the brand names of everything from anti-depressants to IBS medications have now become generic. Is this to the benefit of the consumer or to the pharmaceutical industry?
Should there be mandatory national service?
Multiple countries around the world require mandatory national service for citizens who are of a certain age, gender, and health. This institution has been highly controversial in recent decades, due to the rise of democracy and creation of paid and voluntary standing militaries.
Should there be reparations for slavery?
More than 150 years since the end of slavery, racial inequality is still evident in the United States. Black Americans have an average household wealth just a tenth of white families, face housing and banking discrimination, and higher policing. Reparations for slavery is either a path towards equality or a path to further division.
Should Tik Tok be purchased by Microsoft?
In order to save the hit app Tik Tok from a damaging US ban - on account of its Chinese connections. Should we support its purchase by Microsoft founder Bill Gates?