POLITICS MOOTS HOW TO DEBATE THEM WELL

CONTENTS What to say How to debate them Arguments to use Examples Domestic Context Moot practice

WHAT TO SAY? -Argue the arguments not the examples -Make a case -Explain examples- don’t rely on the adjudicator to know -Argue the principle then use examples to prove it -Make general universal arguments -E.g. electorate MPs are ineffective -NOT -David Cunliffe (e.g.) is ineffective and therefore all MPs are.

HOW TO DEBATE THEM -Think about domestic political context -What are the issues; how are they relevant Who does the issue relate to? -Think about wider arguments – not just case studies in NZ. -- Look to principles of democracy, representation, efficacy of government, political participation, engagment.

PRINCIPLE? Things like: representation engagement participation social enfrachisment But more importantly think about what the principle necessitates e.g. talk about the flow-on benefits of all those principles

ARGUMENTS TO USE Social enfrachisement/disenfranchisement Engagement increased Increased social captial Increased participation Faith in political process Belief in virtue of the process despite outcome Make sure you think about why these are good flow-ons Every political policy has tangible outcomes. More importantly, these arguments are instrumental – as are the debates- they have consequences and those are what are important.

EXAMPLES Don’t use them to prove the case or the argument – use them to strengthen them Think about what the example is showing and argue THAT and not the example e.g. Winston Peters had disproportionate influence That doesn’t PROVE that in MMP the tail wags the dog, but it is an example which can strengthen your structural analysis of why that might be the case.

DOMESTIC CONTEXT What is happening in NZ? What is relevant? Think of how this applies to NZ constituents, the political context and what Nzers want/need. This can ground the debate and make it a better quality. Think about principles of democracy that Nzers adhere to – deliberative, participatory, representative.

MOOT PRACTICE THW make CIR binding on the government.

MOOT PRACTICE THS FPP over MMP

MOOT PRACTICE THW make NZ a republic

MOOT PRACTICE THW vote National

MOOT PRACTICE THW abolish electorate seats

MOOT PRACTICE THW establish an Upper House in Parliament.

MOOT PRACTICE THW make all parties funded by the state.