Tournament: Grapevine | Round: 2 | Opponent: Tyler Moore | Judge: Kendric Young
V: Democracy

Observation 1: Decreasing voter turnout is starting to become a global issue.
Hill , Lisa. "Page 1 Democratic Assistance:A Compulsory Voting Template." Scholar.google.com. N.p., Oct. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:M4LfK6LaOdgJ:scholar.google.com/+22compulsory+voting22+raceandhl=enandas_sdt=0,44andas_vis=1.
"After the last round...between rich and poor."

Cohen explains that a democracy is nothing more or less than the rule of the people.   
Carl Cohen, “The Nature of Democracy,” http://carl-cohen.org/docs/DEM20-20Chap201.pdf
"Democracy is government...the people rule."

1. def- descriptive
   2. no DAs
   3. focusing on the will of the people

The law of design, based on the law of nature, is that form must follow function.
Sullivan, Louis H. The tall office building artistically considered. Lippincott's Magazine, March 1896
"This view let…not to change?"

meta-standard for the round is ensuring form follows the function of democracy. 

An increase in voter participation is key to the functioning of a strong democracy.
Moon, Bruce E., Jennifer H. Birdsall, Sylvia Ciesluk, Lauren M. Garlett, Joshua J. Hermias, Elizabeth Mendenhall, Patrick D. Schmid, and Wai Hong Wong. "Voting Counts: Participation in the Measurement of Democracy." Http://www.lehigh.edu. N.p., 15 Apr. 2006. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://www.lehigh.edu/~bm05/democracy/opus612.pdf.
"The extension of suffrage ...those affected by it"

To increase voter turnout, the Democratic Assistance system mildly penalizes those who do not vote.
Hill 2, Lisa. "Page 1 Democratic Assistance:A Compulsory Voting Template." Scholar.google.com. N.p., Oct. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:M4LfK6LaOdgJ:scholar.google.com/+22compulsory+voting22+raceandhl=enandas_sdt=0,44andas_vis=1.
"But, it needs to...dealt with retributively."

Through this system, mandatory voting becomes just as much of a respected law as stopping at a traffic light.
Hill 3, Lisa. "Page 1 Democratic Assistance:A Compulsory Voting Template." Scholar.google.com. N.p., Oct. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:M4LfK6LaOdgJ:scholar.google.com/+22compulsory+voting22+raceandhl=enandas_sdt=0,44andas_vis=1.
"People comply...stop at red lights."

Mandatory voting instills a relationship between laws and norms, which has empirically shown an increase in turnout.
Hill 4, Lisa. "Page 1 Democratic Assistance:A Compulsory Voting Template." Scholar.google.com. N.p., Oct. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:M4LfK6LaOdgJ:scholar.google.com/+22compulsory+voting22+raceandhl=enandas_sdt=0,44andas_vis=1.
"The veracity of this...norm of voting."

The Democratic Assistance system makes voting easy and accessible to all.
Hill 5, Lisa. "Page 1 Democratic Assistance:A Compulsory Voting Template." Scholar.google.com. N.p., Oct. 2002. Web. 2 Sept. 2013. http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:M4LfK6LaOdgJ:scholar.google.com/+22compulsory+voting22+raceandhl=enandas_sdt=0,44andas_vis=1.
"Wherever voting is compulsory ...voting and electoral education."

Tournament: Greenhill | Round: 2 | Opponent: Ruben Delgado | Judge: Ben Clancy
v: Democracy

Democracy in the West is in decline.  To save democracy and thus democratic values we most foster political participation.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (1), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"An interesting contribution...of others is waning."

Democracy means more than popular sovereignty.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn, (2) “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"The latter half...basic liberal values."

Because disagreement is inherent, democracy requires a fair and reasonable process that will foster adherence to policies reasonable people might disagree with.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (3), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Political liberals have...particular comprehensive doctrine."

For citizens to believe in the fairness of the process there must be high levels of political participation.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (4), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"A concession on a moral belief...it asks for more."

Further, participation is essential to fostering democratic values.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (5), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Both forms, directly...the public sphere."

criterion for the round is maximizing political participation.

Even unenforced compulsory voting laws increase participation.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (6), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies:  Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"One plus side...a broader sense."

Once a person becomes politically active though voting, they are more likely to deliberate with fellow citizens.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (7), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Another important psychological...other civic affairs."

Compulsory voting helps to solve for political apathy.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (8), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"By mandating political participation...of political participation."

A vibrant public sphere requires a basic civic education, solid communication skills, and critical thinking skills.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (9), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Complete consensus through...tools, they argue."
Pre-fiat ^: case functions as in round activism meant to raise awareness of the need for increasing communication skills, persuasive skills, critical thinking skills, etc in order to uphold democracy and foster participation.  Need to reform debate- no speed, theory, or too much/unnecessary jargon- undermine democracy.

Tournament: Greenhill | Round: 2 | Opponent: Ruben Delgado | Judge: Ben Clancy
v: Democracy

Democracy in the West is in decline.  To save democracy and thus democratic values we most foster political participation.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (1), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"An interesting contribution...of others is waning."

Democracy means more than popular sovereignty.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn, (2) “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"The latter half...basic liberal values."

Because disagreement is inherent, democracy requires a fair and reasonable process that will foster adherence to policies reasonable people might disagree with.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (3), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Political liberals have...particular comprehensive doctrine."

For citizens to believe in the fairness of the process there must be high levels of political participation.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (4), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"A concession on a moral belief...it asks for more."

Further, participation is essential to fostering democratic values.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (5), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Both forms, directly...the public sphere."

criterion for the round is maximizing political participation.

Even unenforced compulsory voting laws increase participation.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (6), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies:  Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"One plus side...a broader sense."

Once a person becomes politically active though voting, they are more likely to deliberate with fellow citizens.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (7), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Another important psychological...other civic affairs."

Compulsory voting helps to solve for political apathy.
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (8), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"By mandating political participation...of political participation."

A vibrant public sphere requires a basic civic education, solid communication skills, and critical thinking skills.  
Hermanus Gradus Steijn (9), “Facilitating a Moral Compromise in Plural  Liberal Democracies: Why a Policy of Compulsory Attendance During Elections Is Justifiable,” Leiden University, June 8, 2012
"Complete consensus through...tools, they argue."
Pre-fiat ^: case functions as in round activism meant to raise awareness of the need for increasing communication skills, persuasive skills, critical thinking skills, etc in order to uphold democracy and foster participation.  Need to reform debate- no speed, theory, or too much/unnecessary jargon- undermine democracy.