Noting the enormous potential of political debates to serve both the candidates and the public, this paper argues that debate procedure and format should be improved so as to achieve a more harmonious relationship between debate and politics. The first section of the paper examines the role and impact of debates in contemporary political…

Contends that inherency can be revitalized as a force in academic debate. Focuses on policy interrelationships (or linkages) and maintains they offer fruitful ground for negative theory/tactic development, making a defense of "What is" a more viable alternative to "What should be." (PD)

Examines the characteristics of incrementalism as it defines the present system in competitive debate. Outlines the strengths and weaknesses of this slow and deliberate pursuit of diverse goals and contends that it holds much argumentative promise. (JMF)

Argues that the influence of televised, general election, presidential debates on prospective voters' perceptions of participating candidates may be larger than previous research suggests. Finds that two sources of debate effects have gone largely undetected to date: those based on candidates' relational communication, and those which are…

In 1980, the Sioux Falls Area Press Association in South Dakota attempted to devise a political debate procedure and format that would serve both the candidates and the public. Involving the candidates for the first and second district congressional races and for the United States senate, the televised debates, entitled "Election 80,"…

The academic community, news media, and public have expressed interest in debate as a vehicle to facilitate intelligent citizen evaluation of political candidates. This paper focuses on the format, criteria, and survey results of the "Election 80" television debates between congressional candidates from South Dakota, as compared with the…

Examines issue-learning outcomes in three intra-party political debates during the 1984 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Finds significant viewer learning about the issue positions of each participating candidate, about most issues, and among all categories of viewers. (KEH)

Examines the influence of intraparty political debates during the 1984 presidential campaign. Indicates significant influence on undergraduate college students' attitudes about candidates and their interest in the campaign. Demonstrates that candidate violations of expectations provide a useful theoretical explanation for significant shifts in…