'Citizen Choice' Software for Evaluating Candidate Debates
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'Citizen Choice' Software for Judging Political Debates

Features:  This application would enable users to evaluate the performance of candidates in political debates.  The software has the same sections and subsections as our "General Framework for Understanding and Evaluation."   In each section, we first provide a set of "Assumptions" taken directly from the General Framework.  We will then ask the user the rate debaters' proposals for promoting the welfare of the entities described in that set of Assumptions.  For example, in one set of Assumptions we may discuss the three types of social sectors -- the state, the market, and civil society.  In the questions, we will ask the user to decide which debater proposed the most compelling policies for regulating relationships between these three sectors.  Users could go to our web site and review information provided in our 'Debate Profile' (see Application 3) as they answer the questions.  

Overall, these questions will help the user to determine which candidate convinced the audience that their principles and policies would most effectively enhance the welfare of individuals, social groups, and the environment.  Users will also rate the candidates' moral integrity, professional competence, and psychological fitness on the basis of the candidates' performance in the debates.

On a Summary Page, the application would list all of the questions and, under each question, the name of the debater selected by the user as the one who best addressed the particular topic covered by that question.  On our web site, we will list all of the questions and, under each, the percentage of users who choose each debate participant as the best respondent to that topic.  Users could thus find out how their evaluation of the debate compares with the evaluations of others who have used the software on our site. 

 

Evaluating Participants' 
Responses Regarding Domestic Issues

I.  Evaluating the Debaters on the Individual Level of Organization

A.  Evaluating Debaters as Individuals
The Assumptions from section I.A of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater seemed to exhibit the most moral character -- the most honesty, courage?

Which debater seemed to exhibit the highest level of professional political competence?

B.  Evaluating Debaters' Philosophies and Policies for Promoting Individual Development
The Assumptions from sections I.B-E of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling philosophy and policies for promoting the following dimensions of personal development?

Artistic

Which debater most clearly addressed the developmental nature of liberty and fulfillment?

Which debater most clearly grasps the roles of individual initiative and social support in the process of personal development?

Which debater expresses the clearest understanding of human rights and the relationships between different human rights?

Note:  From this point on, the 'ratings boxes' have been omitted so that the reader can read through the text more easily. 

II.  Evaluating the Debaters on the Social Level of Organization
The "Assumptions" from section II the General Framework will be provided here.

A.  Social Institutions
The Assumptions from section II.A of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling philosophy and policies for promoting the effective and ethical functioning of the following institutions?

Families

Churches

Civic organizations

Advocacy groups that represent the interests of specific populations: the elderly, supporters of gun rights, consumers, etc.

Nongovernmental organizations that promote political justice, economic justice, human rights, and/or ecological stewardship

Media organizations: TV networks, radio stations; newspaper and magazine publishers

Business Firms

Labor unions

Schools: primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education

Charitable organizations that serve the needs of especially vulnerable populations: the poor, elderly, etc.

Institutions that support the arts

Political parties


1)  Special Institutional Focus on Governments
Which debater proposes the most compelling strategy for establishing more democratic structures of government in your nation?

Which debater proposes the most compelling ways to help local and state governments to resist corruption and thus be more responsive to the needs and interests of citizens?

Which debater proposes the most compelling strategies for enhancing ability of your national government to resist corruption and thus be more responsive to the needs and interests of citizens?

Which debater proposes the most compelling strategies for enhancing the ability of local and state governments to enact and enforce legislation that is just and environmentally sound?

Which debater proposes the most compelling strategies for enhancing the ability of your national government to enact and enforce legislation that is just and environmentally sound?

Which debater proposes the most compelling strategy for enabling your national government to efficiently maintain a military force that is capable of defending the nation's interests and values?

Which debater is able to most effectively describe how to achieve a balance between spending on military programs and on those programs that promote human development and environmental protection?


2)  Special Focus on the Institutional Level: The Parties to Which Debaters Belong
The "Assumptions" from section II.A.1 of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the following questions:

Judging from the actual debate itself, which of the debaters' political parties best responds to the long-term needs of the common good in their philosophy and policy proposals?



B.  Social Sectors
The Assumptions from section II.B of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling ideas for promoting constructive relationships

within the market sector?

within the government sector?

within civil society?

between the market and the state?

between the market and civil society?

between civil society and the state?

between different levels of organization

C.  Different Levels of Social Organization
The Assumptions from section II.C of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling ideas for promoting constructive relationships between different levels of social organization (local, national, international)?



D.  Socio-Cultural Collectivities
The Assumptions from section II.D of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling ideas for promoting constructive relationships within the following socio-cultural collectivities

Classes?

Sexual orientations?

III.  Evaluating the Debaters on the Ecological Level of Organization  
The Assumptions from section III of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling ideas for protecting

individual species?

ecosystems?

the biosphere as a whole?


Which debater seems to achieve the best balance between economic growth and ecological stewardship?




IV.  Evaluating Debaters' Views on the Cosmic Level of Organization

A.  Evaluating the Relationship between Debaters' Cosmic Views and Their Political Views
The "Assumptions" from section IV.A of the "General Framework for Understanding and Evaluation" will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater, in your view, deals most effectively with the cosmic level of organization?  If they do not integrate the cosmic level into their political views, they may still deal most effectively with this level.  The important issue is the consistency and clarity of their views regarding the relevance of cosmic views to political life.

B.  Evaluating Debaters' Statements from the Perspective of One's Own Cosmic Views
The "Assumptions" from section IV.B of the "General Framework for Understanding and Evaluation" will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Do you believe that universal principles or laws govern human affairs, such as the principles of yin-yang or the law of karma?  Do you believe in some divine plan for the universe that guides human history (such as the coming of the Kingdom of God)?  Do you believe in some system of divine justice that operates in human affairs?  If so, which debater epoused the ideas and proposals that are most congenial to your cosmic views? If you believe in a divine plan, which debater promoted policies and ideas that will best promote this divine plan?  If you believe in a cosmic system of divine justice, which debater's ideas seem most 'just' according to this system?  If you espouse universal laws or principles, which debater articulated views that were most consistent with these laws and principles?

V.  Evaluating the Debaters' Recognition of Relationships between Different Levels of Organization
The Assumptions from section V of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater most clearly perceives relationships between different levels of organization (personal, social, ecological, cosmic)?

VI.  Evaluating the Debaters' Recognition of the Hierarchy of Values that Exists among the Different Levels of Organization
The Assumptions from section VI of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the question below.

Which debater most clearly perceives the hierarchy of values that exists among the different levels of organization?

VII.  Evaluating the Debaters' Approach to Public Policy-Making
The Assumptions from section VII of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the question below.

Which debater adheres most faithfully to an ‘experimental approach’ to public policy-making?

Evaluating Participants'
Responses Regarding Foreign Relations

I.  Issues Regarding Foreign Relations on the Individual Level of Development
The " Assumptions" from section I of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here.

A. Evaluating the Debaters' General Philosophy and Specific Policies for Promoting Personal Development through Foreign Relations
The " Assumptions" from sections I.A-D of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below.

Which debater proposed the most compelling philosophy and proposals for promoting the following dimensions of individual development through foreign relations?

Physical

Relational

Vocational/Economic

Political

Cultural

Artistic

Moral

Spiritual


B.  The Developmental Nature of Liberty and Fulfillment

In the realm of foreign relations, which debater most clearly recognized the developmental nature of liberty and fulfillment?


C.  Integrating Individual Initiative and Social Support

In the realm of foreign relations, which debater most clearly acknowledged the roles of individual initiative and social support in the process of personal development?


D.  A Full Range of Human Rights and the Relationships between Them

Which debater most clearly recognized a full range of human rights as well as relationships between different human rights in his or her foreign policy proposals?




II.  Foreign Relations and the Social Level of Organization
The " Assumptions" from section II of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here.


A.  Social Institutions
The " Assumptions" from section II.A of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the questions below:

1)  Institutions within Nations
Which debater proposed the most compelling philosophy and policies for promoting the effective and ethical functioning of the following institutions within nations affected by foreign policies?

Families

Churches

Civic organizations

Advocacy groups that represent the interests of specific populations: the elderly, supporters of gun rights, consumers, etc.

Nongovernmental organizations  that promote political justice, economic justice, human rights, and/or ecological stewardship

Media organizations: TV networks, radio stations; newspaper and magazine publishers

Business Firms

Labor unions

Schools: primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education

Charitable organizations that serve the needs of especially vulnerable populations: the poor, elderly, etc.

Institutions that support the arts

Political parties


1a)  Special Focus on Local and National Governments
Which debater provided the most compelling proposals for establishing more democratic structures of government in all nations affected by their foreign policies?  Which provided the most persuasive proposals for helping governments to resist corruption and thus be more responsive to the needs and interests of citizens?

Which debater offered the most compelling proposals for enhancing the ability of governments to enact and enforce legislation that is just and environmentally sound?

Which debater offered the most compelling proposals for enhancing the ability of national governments to efficiently maintain adequate military capabilities?

Which debater advocated the most appropriate balance between spending on military programs and on those programs that promote human development and environmental protection?

If your nation distributes foreign aid, which debater advocated the most fair and prudent methods for determining how this aid will be distributed to other nations?

Which debater did the best job of articulating a broader, more enlightened view of national security that focuses on environmental protection and improving of the lives of citizens both within and beyond the borders of your nation?


1.a.1)  The Use of Force for the National Defense:  A Special Issue for National Governments
Which debater offered the most sound set of principles for using military force in foreign relations?

Which debater offered the most compelling long-term strategies for cultivating peace and prosperity, particularly in troubled regions of the world?


2)  International Institutions
In the realm of foreign relations, which debater proposed the most compelling philosophy and policies for promoting the effective and ethical functioning of the following international institutions?

international governing organizations such as the United Nations

international alliances or blocs (such as NATO)

international religious bodies

international media organizations

international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank

other institutions that finance international development programs

organizations that regulate international trade, such as the World Trade Organization

international groups that serve needy or vulnerable -- the poor, the sick, the elderly, victims of disasters, etc.

international nongovernmental organizations that advocate economic justice, political justice, and environmental stewardship

international labor unions

international organizations that coordinate cultural projects, including sporting events

transnational corporations that have manufacturing and marketing divisions in more than one nation


3)  Special Focus on the Institutional Level: The Parties to Which Debaters Belong
The "Assumptions" from section II.A.3 of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the following questions:

Judging from the actual debate itself, which of the debaters' political parties best responds to the long-term needs of individuals, social groups, and the environment in all nations affected by their foreign policy initiatives?


B.  National and International Social Sectors
The "Assumptions" from section II.B of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the following questions:

In the realm of foreign relations, which debater had the most compelling philosophy and proposals for promoting constructive relationships

within national governments and international governing bodies?

within the dynamics of international trade?

within the national and international levels of civil society?


between governing bodies and markets on the local, national, and international levels?

between governing bodies and civil society on the local, national, and international levels?

between civil society and markets on the local, national, and international levels?


C.  Different Levels of Social Organization
The "Assumptions" from section II.C of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the following questions:

In the realm of foreign relations, which debater had the most compelling philosophy and proposals for promoting constructive relationships between different levels of social organization (local, national, international)?


D.  Socio-Cultural Collectivities
The "Assumptions" from section II.D of the "Foreign Relations" section of the General Framework will be provided here, followed by the following questions:

In the realm of foreign relations, which debater had the most compelling philosophy and policies for promoting equal opportunities for persons of different: