Opposition Strategy

Beat Govt Case

Build Good Opp Case

Opp Win

Opposition has the responder's advantage.

HOW WILL TIHS DEBATE BE JUDGED?

Set criteria for debate

● team who wins is team who can show..● this debate is about ..● standard for change is ..● this is NOT about ..

● Sometimes will need to negotiate with Gov team. Don't set unreasonable criteria.

Manage expectations

● what is our role in this debate?– present a better solution to the problem– show you why their solution makes things worse– show you the status quo is better than their solution

– show you more harms than benefits from their position

– show you more positive values in our position compared to theirs

BEAT THE CASE IN

FRONT OF YOU

Their Case Approach Your Case

Confusing Make them take larger burdens

Clear and simple, win by being more understandable

Too Soft Broaden/deepen problem, show not addressing problem. Comparable to SQ.

Clear strong approach. Might have to go hard, but not always necessary

Too Hard Celebrate. Attack attack attack.

Clear middle approach. Win by being sane.

Just nice Don't do any of the above.

EVERY OPP CASE IS

REACTIVE

Have principle opposition

● Oppose principle. From principle have case.● Build strong but fluid arguments● Build case from principle statement,

– Opposed to governments bailing out companies

– Gov should help people directly, not sustain poor companies (poor company, not entire industry)

– No bailouts, but give welfare to people, retraining, move to different industries (only if industry dying, not just company)

– More efficient, easier, less waste

Have a philosophical contention

● Isolation vs Engagement● Top-down vs Bottom-up● Carrots vs Sticks● Big Govt vs Small Govt●

Competing Philosophies, not just Solutions

● Isolation vs Engagement● Top-down vs Bottom-up● Carrots vs Sticks● Big Govt vs Small Govt● …..

Apple vs Android ?

● Closed vs Open ● ….

WIN CONTEXT, WIN THE DEBATE

Where/When/Who this debate relevant?

● How to change leader of regime where– Most of the people are educated and well

informed, rich natural resources?

– Discontent young population, have jobs but decreasing quality of life. Getting impatient. ?

– Leadership craves international recognition. Wants to be leader for the region ?

Make problem fit solution fit problem

● How to change leader of regime where– Most of the people are educated and well

informed, rich natural resources?

– Discontent young population, have jobs but decreasing quality of life. Getting impatient. ?

– Leadership craves international recognition. Wants to be leader for the region ?

GAMEPLAN

POIS

● Attack from DAY 1– Make govt increase burden self – take positions,

will they also do this and that and her?

– Ask for data to back up claims

– Don't ASK for clarification. Clarify.

Pressure on DPM

● Burden to clarify and defend case and your arguments – create a hole in the middle. Make clear demand on DPM to react.

● Use stock rebuttals – slippery slope, backlash to make many quick attacks.

● Put pressure on model or lack of it.

Pressure on GWhip

● Attack DPM's matter or defense. DLO is very strategic, decide which line of argumentation to continue. – e.g. Poor defense of stock backlash can be

expanded into larger line of attack

● Want to be able to accuse Whip of “saving the day at the end”, so give whip things to clarify, but also make clear arguments Whip must respond to. Highlight LO arguments dropped

OPP WHIP

● Must coordinate with reply. Else reply will be repetitive.

● Attack more than build. Always. Way too late for you to build.

Anything else?

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● Slideshare.net/loganimal● demonstration