NCFCA Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Good Governance (NEG)

This case argues that the best way to improve the functioning of government is to respect the privacy of candidates. To do that effectively, the case starts with the value of Good Governance, and uses two contentions to support that value. First up, Contention 1 argues that disclosure can actually have a harmful effect on political discourse and the level of relevant information that voters possess. Contention 2 focuses on the stigmatization of illness that undue medical disclosure can cause, and how that can lead to worse health effects.

The key to this case is underlining that more information doesn’t mean better electoral results. Rather, additional information about candidates can harm voters’ decision-making processes, unfairly stigmatize medical conditions, and lead to worse electoral outcomes.