The current issues to debate they have the particularity that they refer to current events, to issues that interest people or to new inventions or discoveries.
Debates are held on television shows, schools, universities, in meetings, etc. and in many cases they usually have the participation of a moderator and other members, who may be specialists in the topic under discussion.
For a debate to be enriching, it is essential that there are people with different points of view and that the interventions of the participants are clear, are well argued and do not disrespect the other people present.
Discussing current affairs is important for the participants and the public to improve their persuasion and exposition techniques and to learn more about a subject, about which people want to have more information.
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Examples of current issues to discuss
- Social networks. Like everything that is relatively new, social networks raise debates in which very diverse positions can be found. In addition, they are analyzed from different disciplines, for example, sociology, politics, economics and psychology. The debate on the use of social networks is crossed by different axes: What are its advantages and disadvantages? Are people more connected with others or, on the contrary, less connected? Are they reliable sources of information or do they spread false information? Can all people access and use social networks in the same way? Do they generate real changes in society or just the appearance that something has changed? How are they related to politics?
- Equality. This topic has been addressed for centuries in relation to politics, the economy, education, health, among others, and it constantly appears in different types of debates. Some of the central axes for discussing equality can be: Do we have to talk about equality or equity? Do all people have equal conditions? How does a state guarantee the equality of its citizens? Are all people considered equal regardless of their gender, religion, sexuality, origin, etc.? Is the situation the same in all countries?
- The stereotypes. Stereotypes are previous ideas that are made about certain people, topics, etc. and that generally do not have a correlation with reality or that can cause discrimination. In relation to this topic, one can debate: What produces a stereotype? Are stereotypes prejudices? What negative consequences did stereotypes produce throughout history? How do you reflect on stereotypes and what can be done to not encourage them? Do stereotypes lead to discrimination?
- Economy. This topic appears in many debates because it is something important for workers, investors, businessmen, politicians, journalists, among others. Although the economy can be analyzed from many points of view, some of the axes that can be discussed are: How can a government favor economic growth? Is a free market model or one of an intervening state better? How does an economic crisis affect the economy, politics and people? What economic measures work best and is the same in all countries? How is investment encouraged? How can small producers grow?
- The use of technological devices. How much time per day does a person have to use technological devices? Do these devices help people be more productive or are they a source of distraction? The use of technological devices brings many advantages, for example, it makes communication faster, but it also has many disadvantages, for example, it can cause dependency. But, can a balance be reached in the use of our computers, our cell phones, our video game consoles? Does the use of different devices affect everyone equally or are there differences depending on the age of the people?
- Euthanasia. Euthanasia can be an intervention carried out by doctors to end the life of a patient who does not have much prospect of life or who is suffering from a disease that causes them a lot of suffering. Euthanasia is also considered the decision of terminally ill patients not to receive life-sustaining treatments. Euthanasia is legal and is practiced in some countries, but it raises some ethical dilemmas: Can all people decide whether to agree to euthanasia or do they have to go through psychiatric evaluations? Can the relatives of a patient who, for example, is in a coma decide? Can a doctor be a conscientious objector to this practice? Does it have to be legalized in all countries?
- Climate change. Climate change is one of the topics that is present in newspapers, social networks, the political agenda and television programs, that is, it is one of the topics that is most debated today due to all the consequences it generates. on our planet. Many of the things that are debated are: Is the human being entirely responsible for climate change and global warming? How to take care of our planet and not generate an economic crisis? Do governments have to legislate or ban practices that cause climate change? Does climate change affect all parts of the Earth in the same way? What are its causes and consequences? What should be done and what can be done to avoid harming the next generations?
- women’s rights. In recent years, women’s rights have been a central issue in many debates. For example, there is talk about the fact that women receive a lower salary than that received by men for the same job position. In relation to this and other issues, the following questions are raised: Are women discriminated against? Why don’t they have the same rights as men in all societies? Why were they granted much later certain rights that men were already guaranteed decades ago? How is it guaranteed that women have access to different institutions?
- Politics. Political debates usually take place in social gatherings, on television programs or on social media. To discuss this issue, it is important to do it with respect since, in many cases, the positions of the participants can be very different. In addition, there are debates in which candidates for different government positions participate, which serve to let people know what politicians think about different issues. When debates about politics are held, the following topics are usually mentioned: social inclusion, employment, monetary aid from the government, taxes, imports, exports, position on international politics, economy, inflation, privatization, nationalization, education, health, among others. others.
- Citizen participation in democracy. In some countries the participation of citizens consists in electing their representatives but in other countries citizens can make more decisions. What is the difference between a representative democracy, a participatory democracy and a direct democracy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which would work best in a given country? How are citizens informed to make decisions in relation to voting?
- artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is the development of machines that emulate the ability to think and solve situations that is typical of human beings. Faced with this great technological advance, there are different positions that may include arguments from ethics, biology, computing, among others. Many of the debates center on the following questions: Will computers and robots replace humans in certain jobs? Is it safe to develop technological inventions with independent thought? Will artificial intelligence be used for good or evil? Can you make mistakes or do you always do everything right?
- The globalization. Since globalization was consolidated in the 20th century, there are many positions in favor of this phenomenon, but others that are against it or that suggest that certain elements of globalization have to be regulated in another way. Being a subject that has a great impact on many aspects of life, it can be analyzed from different disciplines. There are many axes of this topic that can be debated, for example: Has globalization favored all countries equally? How does it affect the economy and politics? What about identities? Is this phenomenon the cause of cultural appropriation? Do people, the economy and culture really have a greater exchange?
- veganism and vegetarianism. For some years now, veganism and vegetarianism have been topics that appear in everyday conversations, in scientific debates, on the political agenda, among others. They are not only related to animal abuse, but also to food production and people’s nutrition. Regarding the consumption of food that comes from animals, the following questions can be discussed: Is a person who does not eat food that comes from animals healthy? Does the production of this type of food harm the environment? Are all vegetarian and vegan products healthy? Why don’t animals have the right to life?
- Employment and the world of work. Work is one of the most debated issues worldwide, since it is part of people’s daily life and is related to the political and economic agenda. Since employment is a topic that is very present in conversations, it can be analyzed from very different perspectives. Some of them are: How do you guarantee that all people can access quality employment? Are the most qualified people the ones who occupy the best positions? How should the salary be regulated? How does unemployment affect the lives of people and a country? What is the relationship between education and work?
- freedom of expression. Freedom of expression is a topic that is present in many conversations, because there are different positions regarding where and how the limit should be set. For example, it is not easy to determine if a person is saying what they think or is making a comment that may be discriminatory against another person. In relation to this issue, it is possible to discuss: Is freedom of expression guaranteed or is there censorship? What comments stop being opinions and are statements that encourage discrimination, violence, among others? Do all people have the possibility of expressing the same opinion? Is it necessary to be well informed to express an opinion?
- Alternative medicine and traditional medicine. Traditional medicine has made great advances in recent times, but there are many people who believe that there are other alternative methods of cure or treatment that are more effective or less invasive. The…