Questions

Was Harold Wilson a KGB spy?

Was the British prime minister Harold Wilson a Soviet agent, as Cold War rumours alleged? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Harold Wilson was a KGB spy, and that he was not.

Was Jesus an apocalyptic prophet?

An extremely prevalent set of beliefs in biblical times, there is strong debate over who Jesus was and, more specifically, whether he was an apocalyptic prophet. How people choose to answer this question would have strong implications for the message provided by Jesus and, by extension, their faith.

Was Joseph Stalin a successful leader?

Was Joseph Stalin a successful leader, whatever the human cost? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Stalin was a successful leader, and that he was not.

Was Nazi Germany built on consent or coercion of the population?

By 1934, Hitler considered the National Socialist revolution in Germany to be complete. Yet, although powerful in his own right, Hitler could not have executed such a successful ascent in Germany political life alone. Thus, was Hitler's successful rise and Nazi Germany's infamous future built on the consent or coercion of its citizens?

Was Nelson Mandela a sellout?

Did Nelson Mandela compromise too much in negotiating the end of apartheid? This entry maps the debate over his legacy, setting out the opposing positions that Mandela was a sellout, and that he was not.

Was Obama a good president?

President Barack Obama was a new kind of leader, who broke barriers and opened doors, swagger and class, and respected around the world. But was he a good president?

Was patriarchy invented or inevitable?

Did male dominance arise through chance and choice, or was it bound to happen? This entry sets out the two positions on the origins of patriarchy — that it was invented, and that it was inevitable.

Was Persephone kidnapped?

Persephone, wife to Hades, daughter of Demeter and Zeus. The myth of Persephone says that she was kidnapped by Hades and that she is allowed to visit her mother Demeter for six months out of the year...or does it? Was Persephone kidnapped, or did she go willingly?

Was Severus Snape a hero?

Severus Snape did some good things across the Harry Potter saga — but do they make him a hero? This entry maps the debate over the divisive character, setting out the positions that Snape was a hero, and that he was not.

Was the "Lost" finale terrible or iconic?

Few television endings divide audiences like the one for Lost. This entry sets out the two verdicts on the finale of the long-running mystery series — that it was terrible, and that it was iconic.

Was the ending in "Inception" real?

Did Inception end in reality or in a dream? This entry sets out the two readings of the film's famously ambiguous final scene — that the ending was real, and that it was not.

Was the Star Trek Lower Decks a cannon?

Does the animated comedy Star Trek: Lower Decks count as part of official Star Trek canon? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that Lower Decks is canon, and that it is not.

Was Trump justified to try to buy the rights to a COVID-19 vaccine?

The American President made his mark on the world in business. Hotels, golfing resorts, universities, casinos, TV production, you name it...So is it any surprise the former reality television star offered a 'large sum' for exclusive rights to the Coronavirus vaccine? In a global economy built on the sale of goods and services, this move was hardly extraordinary. Yet, the pandemic has now reached the furthest corners of our world with hideous effects. Was Trump justified in making his offer?

Was Twitter correct in fact checking Trump?

On May 28th, Twitter added a fact check to a Trump Tweet about mail in ballots. The President has argued that this is a type of political censorship. Is Twitter a public square or private forum? Does a fact-check limit free speech? Was Twitter correct in fact-checking Trump's tweets?

Was UN leader Dag Hammarskjold murdered?

Did UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold die by accident, or was he killed? This entry sets out the two positions on the 1961 plane crash that took his life — that he was murdered, and that he was not.

Was Winston Churchill a hero?

Prime Minister Winston Churchill was a leader and character who supported the British People through a world war. Should we consider Winston Churchill a hero, or do some of his actions suggest we remember him in another way?

Were Indian police complicit in the Palghar lynching?

On 16 April 2020, two Hindu priests and their driver were killed. This happened after the men were stopped by a crowd of men at a checkpoint amid coronavirus lockdown, accused of being thieves or child kidnappers, and then taken away and killed. The presence of the police at the scene has caused a debate about their role in the killings.

Were the moon landings faked?

NASA sent six successful Apollo missions to the Moon. Twelve astronauts in total landed on the Moon's surface. Critics suggest that all missions were faked and no one has landed on the Moon. They say that related photos and videos were actually taken in a studio.

Were the Salem Witch Trials justified?

Were the 1692 Salem witch trials in any way justified? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that the trials were justified, and that they were not — examining the hysteria and the lives it claimed.

Were the US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki justified?

Was President Harry Truman justified when he authorised the use of nuclear weapons against Japanese civilians? Did the bombings end the war with fewer deaths than an American invasion of Japan would have resulted in? Or was the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki unimportant to Japanese military leaders when they decided to surrender?

Were there any positives to European Colonialism?

European empires from the early modern period to the twentieth century dominated much of the globe. Scholarship on Imperialism has focused on the destruction and exploitation that these European colonies wrought on their subjects and territories. However, were there any positive results from this process?

What are Armenia and Azerbaijan fighting over?

What lies behind the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan? This entry maps the explanations — a dispute over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a proxy war between Russia and Turkey, and an escalation of long-standing ethnic tensions.

What are some viable career options for an English major?

A question that every English student ever has received is “Are you going to be a teacher?” To which most of us would reply noncommittally. While it is true that many students who major in English go on to study postgraduate degrees and become teachers, lecturers, professors and the like, it seems that many don’t realise the breadth of career optionsEnglish majors have.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of 5G technology in the US?

Although already introduced by some carriers in some areas of the US, 5G - the successor to 4G, which currently provides connectivity to most mobile devices - could have a nationwide rollout by the end of 2020. The transition from 4G to 5G would transform the digital landscape as we know it today. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of 5G deployment across the United States?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of banning private schools?

This entry maps the debate over abolishing private schools, setting out the opposing positions that banning them would be good — for equality — and that it would be bad, weighing the costs against the benefits.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of companies being 100% employee-owned?

In some countries like the UK, company ownership has begun to trend towards employee-ownership (also called ESOPs). This allows essential employees to become shareholders in a given company. Despite the advantages this can afford founders, there are also some disadvantages that can entail with this approach to running a company.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of disclosing your disability to a potential employer?

According to the CDC, 61 million adult Americans (or 1 in 4) have a disability. People with a disability have an unemployment rate that is twice as high as the rate for the rest of the population. It can be harder to get a job for people with disabilities. One of the biggest issues around applying for a job is deciding whether or not to disclose your disability to a potential employer. Legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 in the U.K. and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the U.S. have ensured certain protections such as protection from discrimination, reasonable accommodations, and restrictions on what employers can ask about your disability. Pre-offer employers can ask voluntary demographic information (including if you have a disability) to ensure diversity, or make limited enquires to determine if you can perform the tasks vital to the role and post-offer employers can ask medical questions (or require an examination) as long as they do for all individuals selected. However, it is generally up to the individual to decide if, when, and how much to disclose. There are both advantages and disadvantages to disclosing your disability to a potential employer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship?

What are the trade-offs of holding two passports? This entry maps the advantages and disadvantages of dual citizenship — among them expanded political, travel and property rights, set against dual taxation, dual obligations and bureaucratic complexity.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fandom culture?

Fandoms are communities that coalesce around different celebrities, figures, and/or franchises. While fandom culture can provide a sense of belonging and overall inclusiveness, some argue that they can also feature some pretty negative qualities as well. It begs the question; do the positive aspects of fandoms outweigh the negatives? Or are the negatives too glaring to overlook?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization?

Proponents of globalization say it improves citizens' lives via the distribution of jobs, capital, and technology across borders, promoting peace through deeper economic ties between nations. Others claim the globalized movement of goods and people has fuelled inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and deepened economic inequalities.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-driving cars?

Advances in technology, automation, and artificial intelligence have lead to break throughs in the dream of self-driving cars. What will the advantages and disadvantages, and pros and cons, be to society of having these vehicles on the road?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of year round school?

Many countries, and parts of the United States, run schools year round rather than on a long-summer-holiday calendar. This entry maps the advantages and disadvantages of year-round schooling, setting out the case on each side.

What are the allegations of corruption against Joe Biden and Donald Trump?

With allegations of corruption flying from both sides during the final presidential debate, shady activities of both candidates are drawing attention as election day approaches. But what are the accusations of corruption facing the two candidates?

What are the benefits of color-conscious casting?

Casting directors have an enormous power to shape how audiences see the world by selecting the actors playing characters. Color-conscious casting may be an approach to making sure that media can more accurately represent the world, and the diversity within it. But is it all beneficial? Or are there risks to color-conscious casting?

What are the benefits of private schools?

What advantages do private schools offer? This entry maps the benefits set out across positions — smaller class sizes, an individual-focused curriculum, superior facilities, qualified teachers, university placement, personal development and career earnings.

What are the best materials for a roof?

There are many ways to build a roof, and along with that comes a wide variety of materials. From brick to board to shingles, or even banana tree leaves, it's hard to decide what to use as the final product.

What are the best methods of protesting?

What is the most effective way to protest? This entry maps the positions — that radical understanding, civil disobedience or strikes are the best form of protest, and that effectiveness depends on the context and needs of those protesting.

What are the best research philosophies in academia?

The term research philosophy refers to a system of beliefs and assumptions about the development of knowledge. In layman’s terms, a research philosophy is the choice a researcher makes on how to pursue his research, consciously or subconsciously. Scholars have identified five of the most prominent research philosophies in academia, however, choosing one is a matter of debate.

What are the conspiracy theories about Barack Obama?

This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories about Barack Obama — among them the false 'birther' claim that he is not American, and baseless allegations that he is a Muslim terrorist, a communist or a dictator. The entry documents these debunked claims.

What are the conspiracy theories about chemtrails?

This entry catalogues the chemtrail conspiracy theories — the claim that aircraft condensation trails are deliberate chemical sprays for purposes such as weather modification, population control or chemical warfare. The entry documents these beliefs, which scientists reject.

What are the conspiracy theories about climate change?

According to NASA, 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate change is caused by humans. However, there are groups of people who believe that climate change is a myth, a hoax by scientists and/or governments.

What are the conspiracy theories about Grand Duchess of Russia Anastasia?

This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories surrounding Grand Duchess Anastasia of Russia, shot with her family in 1918 — that she secretly survived, and that Dmitry Medvedev is a descendant of Tsar Nicholas II.

What are the conspiracy theories about the Bermuda triangle?

This entry maps the theories offered to explain disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle — from rogue waves, compass-disrupting magnetic forces and methane bubbles to Atlantis and aliens — alongside the view that there is no mystery at all.

What are the conspiracy theories around 9/11?

This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories circulated about the September 11, 2001 attacks — claims of insider trading, official foreknowledge, a deliberate air-defence 'stand down', and Israeli involvement. It documents these contested claims, which run counter to the established record.

What are the conspiracy theories around COVID-19?

Despite all evidence pointing to infected animals at China's Wuhan seafood market as the source of the COVID-19, conspiracies abound. These claims range from international political plot to eccentric effort to undermine the Chinese economy. So, what are the conspiracies around this previously unseen, potentially devastating, illness?

What are the conspiracy theories around Donald Trump?

In the four years since billionaire Realtor Donald Trump became American President, conspiracy theories have proliferated. These theories variously describe Trump as a powerless puppet controlled by foreign governments, evil megalomaniac exploiting his position for self-serving goals, and dangerous lunatic. What are the conspiracy theories around Donald Trump, and is there any truth in them?

What are the conspiracy theories around FEMA?

This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories about the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — claims that it plans to detain citizens in concentration camps, imprison dissidents, or kill people for population control. The entry documents these baseless beliefs.

What are the conspiracy theories around Joe Biden?

What are the conspiracy theories around Michael Jackson's death?

This entry catalogues the theories surrounding Michael Jackson's 2009 death — that he faked it to escape debt and is still alive, that he was murdered, and that he was killed by a drug overdose.

What are the conspiracy theories around the Sandy Hook massacre?

This entry catalogues the conspiracy theories circulated about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting — that the massacre was staged, never happened, or used 'crisis actors'. All are thoroughly debunked; the entry documents them as false beliefs, not facts.