“Intro to Debating International Relations” Training Session 19 Nov 2014

4 main types of IR debates 1. Incentives/Intervention in countries 2. Rules of war/International justice 3. International Institutions 4. Point of View debate

1.Incentives /Intervention in countries

Use of Facts Don’t play example tennis If people claim facts you’ve never heard of before – run with it steal the facts as your own to back up your case If people claim things that are untrue – only spend time pointing this out if it’s important and you can explain why it’s untrue rather than just say it is

Use of Facts When is referencing facts effective and persuasive? When the fact can be widely known by an ordinary intelligent voter When the fact is superficially plausible and explained in considerable and persuasive detail When used to illustrate a point/add plausibility to it – not to prove it in and of itself.

State’s Rights 1.The Rights of the State’s Citizens 2.The Need for International Order 3.International Law 4.Domestic Order 5.Compensation/Redress

Consequences of International Actions Being able to plausible explain what the likely consequences of such actions are requires consideration of a number of different factors: 1.The interests and motives of relevant actors: a)Examples of past behaviour b)Analysing their ideologies/cultures/worldview c)Analysing their situation/circumstances

Consequences of International Actions Even if you don’t know about groups – if it’s a conflict there will tend to be rebels and a state Rebel groups in conflicts are rarely homogenous and peaceful – if the country has a high % of Islamic population Al-Qaeda are normally involved What are the incentives of these groups – 1.States desire security and prosperity 2.Rebels often come from marginalised discriminated against groups (this is NOT the same as minorities)

Consequences of International Actions 2.The costs and benefits of certain courses of actions 3.The capabilities of actors 4.Existing relationships 5.Internal political processes 6.Strategic Calculations

Sanctions Trade Arms Sporting boycotts

Debating about Invasions / Assassinations etc PROP Establish Imperative – Identify a tipping point (why we can’t wait) – Last Resort (all other options have been tried) Provide clear mechanism – Outline a military strategy that will work Initial conflict Continuing conflict (insurgency?) – Include amnesty option for combatants / suggest won’t fight Show path to a better future – Reconstruction efforts? – Who will take power afterwards? Creates important positive precedents OPP Throw mess around – War is never clean or simple Civilians & Soldiers will die – Responsibility on our hands Show how will mobilise opposition EVEN IF invasion works – Show most likely scenario will be at best sub-optimal and most likely even worse than to start Undermines precedents of international law

Problems to consider with intervention 1.Asymmetric Warfare 2.The ‘CNN Factor 3.The Side Effects of Intervention