Open to Debate

Society EN ↓ 468 episodes

America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united de...

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Open to Debate

Episodes

Can Clean Energy Drive The Economic Recovery? 14.03.2011 52:30

President Obama and other leaders have called for investment in cleaner energy sources as a way to create jobs and spur U.S. economic recovery. But can it really work? A team of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is The Two-Party System Making The U.S. Ungovernable? 23.02.2011 52:30

Some argue that Americans have been locked into evaluating every issue through a prism of left and right. A team of experts tackles the topic in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should The Obama Health Care Law Be Repealed? 19.01.2011 52:30

As Republicans now in control of the House move to repeal the new health care law, a team of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should Airports Use Racial And Religious Profiling? 30.11.2010 52:30

The recent furor over screenings and pat-downs has catapulted airport security back into the spotlight. Should airports be targeting their limited resources differently? A team of experts examines the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Afghanistan A Lost Cause? 18.11.2010 52:30

After nearly a decade of fighting, Americans are still debating the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan, its toll on the military and its financial cost. A team of experts goes head-to-head on the topic in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Big Government Stifling The American Spirit? 02.11.2010 52:30

On Oct. 26, a team of experts argued the issue "Big Government is Stifling the American Spirit" during the Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Islam A Religion Of Peace? 14.10.2010 52:30

That's how former President George W. Bush characterized it, but some take a different view. A panel of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Terrorists Criminals Or Enemy Combatants? 22.09.2010 52:30

Some view a law enforcement approach to terrorism as dangerous, while others argue that denying suspects the ability to defend themselves in court runs counter to American values. Four experts recently went head to head on the issue in the latest debate in the Intelligence Squared U.S. series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has The Cyberwar Threat Been Exaggerated? 18.06.2010 52:30

As succeeding presidential administrations and leaders in the Pentagon devote increasing resources to cybersecurity, some observers are questioning whether the threat of cyberwar has been overstated. A panel of experts debates the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. topic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does Obama's Foreign Policy Spell America's Decline? 18.05.2010 52:30

When it comes to foreign policy, some argue that President Obama is alienating the United States' allies as he seeks to make accommodations for nations with whom America has more uncertain relationships, such as China and Russia. And, they say, the administration has been too weak in its policy toward Iran. A group of experts takes on that question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. L...

Is Organic Food Stuffed Full Of Marketing Hype? 10.05.2010 52:30

Is paying extra money for organic food worth it? Some argue that the label confers real value, while others claim that organic food has not been proven healthier and that it comes with its own environmental trade-offs. A panel of experts faces off on the topic in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Teachers Unions To Blame For Failing Schools? 23.03.2010 52:30

In the quest to remake America's public schools, teachers unions have frequently been blasted as an obstacle to improvement. But do unions really deserve more of the blame than shrinking budgets and other problems? A group of experts takes on that question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should The U.S. Scale Back Relations With Israel? 18.02.2010 52:30

Does the United States' special relationship with Israel come at too high a cost in the Middle East? A panel of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is California The First Failed State? 28.01.2010 52:30

California is in the midst of a budget nightmare. Will the Golden State find a bailout, or has it become the first failed state of the union? A group of experts takes on the topic in an Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is America To Blame For Mexico's Drug War? 09.12.2009 52:30

In Mexico, thousands of people have died in drug-related violence in the past three years as the government has ramped up its war on drug cartels. But is the United States — with its market for illegal drugs and flow of guns south of the border — to blame? A panel of experts face off on the topic in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Are Obama's Economic Policies Working Effectively? 24.11.2009 52:30

As the economy slowly begins to recover from the financial meltdown, should the Obama administration get credit for turning things around? Or has the administration failed to do what it takes to really help the economy? A panel of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good Riddance To Mainstream Media? 04.11.2009 52:30

As newspapers go under, the network newscasts lose viewers and the mainstream media in general see more and more of their audience shift online, are we as a society better or worse off? A panel of experts debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will 'Buy American' Policies Backfire? 30.09.2009 52:30

"Buy American" provisions included in legislation such as President Obama's stimulus package have touched off a heated debate. A panel of experts argues whether they help or hurt the United States in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices