Questions
997 questions in the encyclopedia.
Should felons be allowed to vote?
According to the Sentencing Project, an estimated 6.1 million Americans have lost their voting rights because of felony disenfranchisement laws as of 2016. Lawmakers are divided about its implications: what constitutes human rights and what justifies taking them away, especially given a justice system that disproportionately imprisons minorities and the poor?
Should gambling be banned?
Should gambling be banned outright? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that gambling should be banned, and that it should not — balancing addiction and harm against personal freedom.
Should genetically modifying babies be legal?
The term “genetic modification” most commonly refers to a technique known as mitochondrial replacement therapy. The treatment involves constructing an embryo from the DNA of three people, using one party’s mitochondrial DNA in place of another, which is at risk for passing on a mitochondrial illness. In recent years, the genetic modification of babies has become a widely debated issue. The first genetically altered babies were born in 2018, prompting the scientific community to debate the ethics of the project. Is this procedure the scientific community's latest achievement, or a step too far?
Should Harry Potter be "canceled" because of J.K. Rowling's transphobic statements?
Prolific writer J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, has gained infamy in recent weeks for her Twitter statements on transgender issues. Amidst a cultural debate about “cancellation,” this has been brought to the forefront. Should the Harry Potter series be disregarded as a response to its authorial bias?
Should hate speech be illegal?
Hate speech has been around since time began, when feuds began occurring between different groups. Is it something that should be lawfully punished ? Or is it covered as a part of someone's right to free speech?
Should healthcare be free?
Access to healthcare is essential for our quality of life and longevity. But healthcare doesn't come cheap. Should individuals be forced to pay their own healthcare costs? Is healthcare an inalienable human right? What are the pros and cons of free healthcare?
Should Hermione have ended up with Harry?
A long-running fan debate, fuelled by J.K. Rowling's own later remarks: should Hermione Granger have ended up with Harry Potter rather than Ron Weasley? This entry sets out the cases for yes and for no.
Should high school athletes be drug tested?
Playing any type of sport in high school can require a lot of hard work and effort, between long practices, games, and budgeting your time. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, roughly 55% of all high school students participate in at least one sport. Nearly a fourth of all high school students do at least one type of illicit drug, most popularly marijuana. Should highschools be drug testing their student-athletes?
Should homework be banned?
There has been a recent surge in the discussion around productive study habits for students. Is homework productive and useful, or is it merely an added stress?
Should HS2 be scrapped?
This entry maps the debate over HS2, Britain's high-speed rail project, setting out the opposing positions that work on it should stop immediately, and that it is the only viable option for the rail network.
Should human cloning be banned?
Cloning is the creation of a genetic copy of a sequence of DNA or of the entire genome of an organism. In the cloning debate, the term ‘cloning’ typically refers to a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). SCNT involves transferring the nucleus of a somatic cell into an oocyte form, where most of the DNA has been removed. The manipulated oocyte is then treated with an electric current in order to stimulate cell division, resulting in the formation of an embryo. The embryo is (virtually) genetically identical to, and thus a clone of the somatic cell donor. The debate revolves around human integrity, power, and social order.
Should humans strive for immortality?
Should humanity pursue the end of ageing and death? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that humans should strive for immortality, and that they should not — weighing longer life against its consequences.
Should Hunter Biden’s actions compromise Joe Biden’s presidential campaign?
Recently, the FBI subpoenaed Hunter Biden's laptop due to suspicion of money laundering activity on his part. How severe is this scandal? Should Hunter Biden's proximity to presidential candidate Joe Biden be enough to sacrifice him the election?
Should individuals own their DNA?
Should people have ownership rights over their own genetic data? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that individuals should own their DNA, and that they should not.
Should inheritance be minimized to create an equal outset for everyone?
Should inheritance be curtailed so everyone starts from a more equal footing? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that inheritance should be minimised to create an equal start, and that it should not.
Should Julian Assange be extradited?
Following the Ecuadorian government's withdrawal of asylum, Julian Assange was arrested and removed from the country's embassy in London. He faces charges in the US of conspiracy to break into a computer, relating to Wikileaks' publication of more than 250,000 classified military documents and diplomatic cables in 2010. Should Assange be extradited to the US to face these charges? Was he doing a public service? Will he get a fair trial? Should he be sent to Sweden to face sexual assault charges instead?
Should junk food be banned for children?
In a day and age where junk food is everywhere, more people are adopting unhealthy diets, resulting in health problems and weight gain. Many experts agree that a healthy lifestyle starts while we're young, so the question arises: Should junk food be banned for children?
Should kids play minecraft?
Minecraft is a sandbox videogame with an infinite blocky terrain where players can design, build, explore, and fight enemies. It is hugely popular across age groups, with many young players. Like any videogame, there is a mixture of advantages and disadvantages, so should kids be allowed to play it?
Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
Historically in the United States, LGBTQ+ people have had limited rights, including infingements on access to marriage equality and protection from discrimination. Both presidential candidates have made campaign promises to the LGBTQ+ community - but who will best uphold their rights?
Should Mail-In ballots be banned in the 2020 US Elections?
In 2018, 25% of Americans who voted, voted by mail. In 2020, these numbers are projected to be even higher with the Covid-19 pandemic still raging in the US. But the use of mail ballots in the November 2020 presidential election has become a point of contestation. President Trump has argued on Twitter that mail in ballots should not be used in the presidential election. Others claim mail-in voting is secure and increases turn-out and fear Trump's position is part of a longer game to discredit the election results.
Should masks be worn by the public to stop the coronavirus?
Wearing masks has become a contentious issue in the United States at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. From concerns of personal freedom, to skepticism over their effectiveness, to worries of government control. The mask seem to prove effective in other cultures. All of this leaves us with the question... should masks be worn by the public to stop the coronavirus?
Should medical marijuana be legal?
Medical marijuana has been a highly debated topic throughout the United States as more and more Americans are legally accessing the drug. As new states have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes, some have criticized these decisions. Many imply that the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes is merely a “back door” method of legalizing the drug for recreational use.
Should men wear skirts?
While certain skirt styles like the kilt have been around for centuries, it is still fairly uncommon to see men wearing skirts publicly. This could be due to potential social ridicule or just a personal preference.
Should men-only private members' clubs still exist?
Do men-only private members' clubs still have a place? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that such clubs should be allowed to exist, and that they should not — weighing free association against exclusion.
Should military conscription be banned?
Conscription, also known as compulsory military service, is the practice of requiring military service of all qualifying individuals within a nation. Chiefly known for having been employed during the First and Second World Wars, the duration of modern-day conscription can range anywhere from two weeks to two years. But does conscription foster hyper-nationalism and unhealthy aggression? Is the government sending the message that war is inevitable? Or is conscription simply a means of building character and strength?
Should mobile contact-tracing be used to tackle COVID-19?
Contact-tracing apps - mobile applications where individuals can track their symptoms - have been proposed as a possible salve to the spread of coronavirus. Experts believe that at least half the population needs to use contact-tracing apps for them to work. The challenge will be convincing the public to opt in after years of trust issues with big tech.
Should movies produced for streaming platforms be eligible for awards?
In recent years it has become more and more common for movies produced for streaming platforms (like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu) to be nominated for prestigious awards like Oscars or Golden Globes. However, some argue that these are not cinematic art like movies released through major studios and therefore should be ineligible. Are movies released by streaming platforms on the same level as major studios?
Should multicultural literature be included in the high school curriculum?
Multicultural literature includes literature about people who are underrepresented in mainstream society and have been marginalized in some way, including Asian-American, African-American, and Chicano-American literature. For the most part, high school curriculum for English courses revolve around teaching the classics, but should more diverse literature be taught in high schools?
Should museum admission be free?
Should museums be free to enter? This entry weighs the positions on the question — that admission should be free, that it should not, and that it should be free on some days — balancing public access against funding.
Should NCAA athletes be paid?
In the United States, college athletes receive scholarships for their athletic contributions to their schools instead of cash. The NCAA divides universities into 3 categories, or divisions. Division I schools have the largest student body, most athletic scholarships, and the biggest athletic budgets. Division II schools have fewer athletic scholarships and fewer students. Division III schools offer no athletic scholarships. Should these schools pay their student-athletes?
Should obesity be treated as a disease?
Obesity affects more than 1/3 of America and is the leading cause of heart problems and heart-related deaths. In today's day and age, it is often normalized and praised. But should it be considered a disease?
Should panhandling be illegal?
Panhandling, otherwise known as urban begging, or anybody that begs for money or food, mostly done by homeless individuals, is a present issue. The question that remains is how it should be handled.
Should Parlia support local opinions?
There are many debates within localities. “Should there be a new traffic light installed outside the elementary school” people might say yes for safety reasons, people might say no because of the tax expense. Wouldn’t this be a good use of Parlia?
Should people be able to choose what country to live in?
What if freedom of movement worked on a global scale? While it is technically possible to become a resident of almost anywhere you choose, some nations impose pretty stringent citizenship requirements- and often that residence is conditional. The question intersects with issues of immigration, cultural history and identity.
Should people be prosecuted for crimes they commit in augmented reality?
As augmented reality blurs the virtual and the real, should acts committed in it carry legal consequences? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that people should be prosecuted for crimes committed in augmented reality, and that they should not.
Should people boycott Disney’s live-action Mulan?
Disney's 2020 live-action adaptation of their 1998 animated film Mulan sparked excitement and controversy. The 1998 animated film is a beloved Disney classic. While Disney intended the 2020 live-action remake to appeal to both American and Chinese audiences, the film incited a call for boycotts (#BoycottMulan) from human rights activists.
Should people in positions of authority resign because of sexual misconduct allegations?
Should those in positions of authority resign when facing sexual misconduct allegations? This entry weighs the two positions — that they should resign, and that they should not — balancing accountability against due process.
Should people switch to electric cars for the environment?
The environment has been breaking down over the years and only recently have we tried to stop it. One of the biggest problems is the waning ozone layer. The ozone layer keeps the earth at a safe temperature and provides it with the perfect atmosphere for life. One of the substances that breaks down the ozone layer is carbon monoxide, which usually come from cars. Electric cars are presented as a possible solution to this. But are electric cars the first step to an improved environment? Or are they an inflated idea with more problems than solutions?
Should people wear fur products?
Numerous fashion houses and even entire cities have banned the sale or use of fur. The tides are turning against the fur industry as people become more conscious of the way in it exploits and abuses animals.
Should polygamy in relationships be decriminalized?
Whether polygamous relationships should receive state-recognition is a pertinent question as polygamous relationships are on the rise. Those in support of legal polygamous unions ask that we continue to break with the traditional conception of love. Yet, those who oppose legalization raise the legal infrastructure and policies that the government would have to introduce as a deterrent.
Should polygraphs be admissible in court?
Once called "the strip searches of the mind", polygraph test creators maintain that their lie detectors can detect when a suspect is lying in 80-95% of cases. Should we use them in the justice system to secure convictions? Or are polygraphs a dangerous and gross violation of a suspect's legal rights?
Should pornography be banned for people under 18?
Should under-18s be barred from accessing pornography? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that minors should be free to explore their sexuality, and that porn is harmful and should be banned for minors.
Should prisons be abolished?
Prison abolitionism is an ongoing debate globally, but in American society in particular. Prisons were first created to punish the guilty for their crimes and protect the innocent from harm. Now, some are creating rehabilitation programs to help the incarcerated have a better life after being released. Are prison systems effective, and would abolishing them be beneficial for society?
Should public nudity be legal?
There are many different kinds of reactions and feelings about nudity in public around the world, often governed by tradition or religious convictions and beliefs. But should public nudity be illegal?
Should Puerto Rico become a US state or independent?
Puerto Rico, one of five American territories, has limited power and rights under its territory categorization. Some mainland Americans argue Puerto Rico should become the 51st U.S. state. Activists in Puerto Rico go one step further—full independence.
Should recreational marijuana be legal?
Following a public outcry over the case of Billy Caldwell, a 12-year-old boy with epilepsy who was prohibited from bringing back a life-changing supply of cannabis oil from Canada, the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes has now been made legal in the UK. Unsurprisingly this has re-ignited the ongoing question: should we legalise the recreational use of cannabis?
Should religion be taught in schools?
Should religion be taught in schools? This entry weighs the arguments on both sides of the question — that religion should be taught, and that it should not — covering education, values, neutrality and freedom of belief.
Should Republicans fill Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s empty Supreme Court seat before the 2020 US election?
Ruth Bader Ginsberg has passed away, just months before the latest presidential election. In 2016 in a similar situation the Republicans fought to hold off on the nomination until after the election. What should happen to the Supreme Court nomination now?
Should school uniforms be mandatory?
School Uniforms are a mainstay of education in many parts of the world. The uniform can have some impact on the school experience, which makes us consider the pros and cons of school uniforms.
Should schools be able to ban books?
Hundreds of books have been challenged or banned in schools throughout the US. These books are banned on a huge range of reasons, from obscene language to sexual content to violence to the discussion of menstruation. But all of these things are facts of life. Should academic institutions have the power to censor books?