Stoa Lincoln-Douglas Debate: Economic Prosperity (AFF)

The goal of this case is to create a dynamic where affirmative can acknowledge the benefits of economics growth, arguing that the actual impact of general economic growth and stability should not be the focal points of the round. Instead, this case switches perspective to the terminology “more important” in the resolution, arguing that this should be interpreted as the metrics the actor, government, ought to most strive to preserve. Yes, economic growth is great, but government should not strive so much to achieve it because growth policy is well known to be ineffective except in times of recession (now stabilization policy). Stability-based economic policy, on the other hand, works well and has credible sources to endorse it.

The key to winning this case is establishing the framework of the resolution as asking which side of the resolution government should care the most about, and that aspects that demand regulation and where government has a role to play should be the most important. Thus, the side that government should care most about, you argue, is stability, the metric and foundation of the economy that is necessary for general economic prosperity, from economic growth to high employment rates to avoiding the backtracking that recessions bring.