FORMAL DEBATES & DINNERS
Join us for parliamentary debates with some of the greatest minds in politics, philosophy, and technology, every Tuesday at 7.00 PM
Yale Political Union, 2023
For nearly a century, the Union has hosted the most important figures across politics, economics, philosophy, religion, the arts, and technology to engage in thought-provoking parliamentary debates with students. Our guest list has included the likes of Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden, Milton Friedman, Jimmy Carter, and Lady Bird Johnson. Not only do students have the opportunity to learn from these leaders, but also to challenge their ideas and principles, all while polishing the art of rhetoric and debate.
FORMAT
During the semester, Members of the Union meet every Tuesday, at 7.00 PM to welcome a new guest to our debate floor and engage with a pre-determined resolution, moderated by the Speaker.
Following the parliamentary format of debate and Robert’s Rules of Order, there are three speeches each in the affirmative and the negative of the resolution throughout the evening. The Guest opens the debate with a longer, keynote speech in the affirmative, typically lasting half an hour and followed by a brief question-and-answer session open to the audience. The Guest’s address is followed by five, shorter student speeches.
The result of the debate is determined by a count of Ayes and Nays at the end.
The DOCKET
In the weeks leading up to the debate, The Speaker and the Floor Leaders solicit speeches to craft the student docket, with two speeches in the affirmative and three in the negative. To pitch a speech for our upcoming debates, contact our current speaker Richie George (richie.george@yale.edu)
DINNERS
The Union hosts a dinner reception for all its guests in the hours leading up to the debate, attended by a smaller group of students, to facilitate more intimate intellectual conversations. Fill out the form released prior to debate to attend a dinner reception.
PRIZE DEBATES
Every semester, the Union organizes student-only prize debates for its members, participated in by representatives from each of the seven parties.
The Gardner-White Debate: The most traditional of the student-only debates at Union, the Gardner-White is open to students from all class years.
First-Year Prize Debate: Hosted in the Fall, the Freshman Prize debate sees speeches from incoming YPU members on resolutions such as R: Sell Out or R: Abolish Private Schools.
Senior Debate: A farewell debate for our seniors, the Senior Debate typically sees debates on resolutions that inspire speeches reflecting on one’s four years at Yale and in the Union, such as R: Four More Years.
PAST guests:
Politics: Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden, Jimmy Carter, Lady Bird Johnson, Rand Paul, Ro Khanna, Rick Scott, Rick Santorum, Marianne Williamson, Cory Booker, Brad Lander, John Bolton, Peter Thiel.
Philosophy & Civil Rights: Martin Luther King III, Noam Chomsky, Slavoj Zizek, Al Sharpton, Jason Stanley, Sunn m’Cheaux, Harvey Mansfield, John Mearsheimer, Danielle Allen, Cornel West.
Law & Economics: Robert Post, Akhil Amar, Daniel Markovits, Timothy Snyder, Justin Driver, William Hoagland, Yasheng Huang, Richard Wolff, Jed Rubenfeld.
Journalism & Commentary: William F. Buckley, Stephen Colbert, Fareed Zakaria, George Will, Bill Kristol, Harvey Silverglate, Alex O’Connor, Matthew Yglesias, Curtis Yarvin, Lila Rose.
To send us a guest recommendation or for media requests pertaining to any former or upcoming speakers, email Vice President Alyse Graham-Martinez (alyse.graham-martinez@yale.edu)
