The Sides of Debate

I have always detested debate. On its surface it is meant to illuminate discussion so parties may come to a broader agreement on terms, facts and intent. My experience, however, has been quite the opposite.

Debates in America tend to be argumentative and manipulative. It tends to be all about ‘winning’ and not persuading. Especially if the persuading is based on fact, logic and truth.

What I want in a ‘debate’ is a logical array of the terms under discussion. I also need to know the expertise demonstrated by the debaters. If a speaker doesn’t have the credentials to make his points, then the argument is flawed. I prefer a lack of histrionics. Please; no emotional arguments that disguise the illogic of your argument.

Debates are supposed to be informative. An issue is defined for discussion. Its terms and boundaries are laid out. Sides step up to elucidate the points in favor of one side or the other. At the end of the debate, the audience is free to make up their own minds based on the logic and facts of the presentations. At the end, the audience has the goods available to understand the issue well and to decide how that issue figures into their minds, logic and conclusions pertaining to the many issues we live with on a daily basis.

However, this is not how debate is used in our nation. Rather, debate is used as a tool of propaganda.  Now, let’s turn to a definition of that term:   Propaganda: the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person; ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause; also :  a public action having such an effect  (Merriam-Webster)

You see the point: the purpose of propaganda is to mislead others.

History is filled with lessons to learn. The Soviet Union was huge on propaganda. Russia today continues that tradition. Public media is controlled by the government so the messages consumed by the public are of one voice and bent. Without facts and logic, such information is propaganda. The Nazis’ were also masters of propaganda.

In America we need look no farther than political parties. It is their job, after all, to gather supporters of a cause or point of view so they can turn that into votes and power in the political arena. It is this struggle for power and influence that has turned our political system into a debate with little value or truth. Government process thus is deflected and distorted. Left alone it might accomplish the public’s tasks and work. Interference, however, holds process hostage and progress is stopped dead in its tracks.

Witness gridlock in Congress. Witness a divided Supreme Court with 8 justices and a gaping vacancy. The list of damages to our system of governance goes on and on.

Today we have republicans, democrats, independents, libertarians, alt-right, and an army of disaffected. The arena is rife with struggle and conflicting messages. And thus the time is ripe for propaganda. Church and theology have crept into our political discourse in recent decades and have not helped illuminate healthy discourse. Ideology and its twisted logic has not been of help, either.

Worse, today we have a decidedly illogical presence in our news, press conferences, and government decisions. Today we have a repudiation of education, expertise, and logic. The argument goes: If you have a specific expertise to offer in our discussion, it is suspect as to its fairness. You are therefore not allowed to participate in our discussion.

How else can you explain the following:

1. Public education is a major building block of an educated citizenry; but now it is felt that educators have an ax to grind and cannot be trusted; thus private schools should be favored in education; and public dollars should pay for it via vouchers; public schools will need to find their own resources
2. Global warming is science run amok; eliminate the EPA and tell the White House staff who the EPA staffers are who have supported the global warming position these past several years
3. Oil does not pollute the soil, water or air. Only ideologues argue against drilling for oil in wilderness areas, oceans and populated areas. Rescind restrictions on oil well drilling and boost oil production
4. Scientists tell us alternative energy is possible and probable; but this will destroy the value of oil companies; ignore the scientists and support the hegemony of oil as the globe’s primary energy source 

I won’t go into other issues. You get the point. If the ends are not served by an expert’s well researched argument, then destroy the scientist and his science. Go with what makes you feel good.

The problem, of course, is that this is a power issue. And sharing power is not in the mix. Decidedly not! Power is only power if one party has more of it than the other party; else there is no ‘true’ power, right? Someone has to win; therefore someone has to lose.

My question is: Who are the true losers of this debate?

I shudder to think where we will be four years from now. If America’s promise is yet in her future, then we must all resist.

Resist!

March 1, 2017