How to Ask Questions in a Debate: Trey Gowdy’s 2 Strategies

A woman asking a question in a debate

Why is asking questions important in a debate? What types of questions should you ask? According to Trey Gowdy, the most effective tool of persuasion isn’t any particular way of making an argument but asking questions. Gowdy claims that as a prosecutor and chair of Congressional committees, he spent more time asking questions than constructing a narrative from those answers. Here’s how to ask questions in a debate so you can have the upper hand.

Plato’s Ideal Society: An Overview of The Republic, Books II-IV

A painting of a beautiful ancient Greek city with a lake and mountains in the distance illustrates Plato’s ideal city

What does the ideal society look like? Has a philosopher from ancient Greece already designed one? In The Republic, Plato presents his vision of a perfect city-state. Through the character of Socrates, he outlines a society with a strict class system, communal living for some, and a “noble lie” to maintain order. Keep reading to explore the ins and outs of Plato’s ideal society.

How to Gather Information: Questions for Your Debate Opponent

A woman gathering information and taking notes in a debate

What is information gathering in a debate? How can you gather information while also forming an argument against your opponent? Debating requires you to do many things at once. While your opponent is giving their argument, you also have to ask the right questions to receive more information that can be used against them. Discover how to gather information while you’re opponent has their turn to talk.

How to Start a Social Movement: 2 Forces You Must Leverage

a black and white drawing of people from the back walking in the same direction illustrates what causes mass movements

What drives people to join social movements? What makes individuals willing to sacrifice everything for a cause? In The True Believer, Eric Hoffer explores what causes mass social movements to start and gain momentum. He examines the psychological factors that lead people to dedicate themselves to a collective cause, often at great personal cost. Keep reading to learn how to start a social movement by understanding the two powerful forces behind them.

How to Perform Refutation in Debates to Undermine Arguments

A speaker on stage at a podium, using a refutation in a debate against her opponent

How can you execute refutation in debates? What are ways to undermine your opponent’s facts? According to Trey Gowdy, knowing your opponents is an important part of debating because it allows for an easy refutation of their argument. This means fully understanding what their arguments are, what facts they’re relying on, and what it would take to convince them to abandon their position. Check out how to get a good sense of who your opponents are so you can chip away at their argument.

Plato: Society Deteriorates in 4 Steps (The Republic)

A view from above of a city square in ancient Greece illustrates Plato's society model

How do societies evolve over time? What did ancient philosophers think about the progression of political systems? Plato’s vision of societal change is explored in his seminal work The Republic. The Greek thinker outlines a descent from an ideal city-state through four increasingly flawed forms of government. His theory offers insights into the nature of power, justice, and human behavior. Keep reading to understand Plato’s society model, and discover how his ideas still resonate in modern political discourse.

How to Ask Leading Questions to Take Charge in a Debate

Two people talking in a debate, one of them using leading questions

How do you use leading questions in a debate? What are the benefits of steering a conversation by asking questions? According to Trey Gowdy, there are three types of questions: leading, non-leading, and “why” questions. Leading questions can be used to direct the conversation and stay on topic when you’re opponent changes the subject. Let’s look at how to ask leading questions in a debate.

The Dictator’s Handbook: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

an open book lying on a desk in a government official's office with a conference table and a portrait in the background

How do political leaders come to power? How do they maintain it? What makes someone a dictator rather than a democrat? People often discuss political leaders in terms of their ideologies, their dedication to their people, or their backgrounds. To understand the choices leaders make, though, you need to consider only one thing: their desire for power. Continue reading for an overview of the eye-opening book The Dictator’s Handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith.

Is Political Polarization a Threat to Democracy? 3 Key Factors

abstract silhouettes of people facing each other illustrates the question "Is political polarization a threat to democracy?"

Is political polarization a threat to democracy? How does extreme partisanship affect our ability to govern effectively? In his book Why We’re Polarized, Ezra Klein explores the dangers of extreme political polarization. He argues that this phenomenon transforms politics into a zero-sum game between opposing parties. This dynamic makes compromise and power-sharing nearly impossible. Read on to get Klein’s analysis of the three key drivers fueling this polarization, and discover how they’re reshaping our political landscape.

How Do Dictators Stay in Power? 3 Ways They Ensure Loyalty

a national leader looking out of his office window at the capital city illustrates how dictators stay in power

How do dictators stay in power? How do they keep the right people satisfied? How differently do democratic leaders behave? In their book The Dictator’s Handbook, Bruce Bueno de Mesquita and Alastair Smith reveal the tactics dictators use to maintain control, comparing them with democratic practices. They explore three key methods: rewarding supporters, punishing dissenters, and managing revolutions. Read more to understand how dictators and democrats maintain power after they seize it.