School of Communication

2006 TOC EXTEMP QUESTION LISTS

All rights reserved. Questions are available for personal use only; question lists may not be posted to another website nor reproduced in any publication, except with express written permission (posting individual questions in a discussion setting is allowed). No TOC Extemp question may be used for any tournament or other official purpose.

ROUND I: Domestic Social

  • Is the immigration reform debate marginalizing non-Hispanic immigrants?
  • What impact will court rulings in Massachusetts and California banning a school's ability to deny diplomas to those failing standardized tests have on education nationwide?
  • Should the US give amnesty to illegal immigrants living in the US for 5 years?
  • What do the Harvard research findings on medical malpractice suits mean for health care costs in the future?
  • Will Warren Jeffs' placement on the FBI's most wanted list affect the government's ability to intervene in religion?
  • Will Hawaii's failed attempt at gas price limitations spell doom for any similar, future programs?
  • Is New Orleans' booming real estate market a positive indicator of good things to come?
  • Is preventing a student from receiving financial aid based on previous drug convictions an effective preventative measure?
  • Will the coal mine tragedy result in changes to the industry?
  • Is eminent domain being abused by states to bolster private development and investment?
  • In the event of a bird flu pandemic, will the current US federal government plan be sufficient?
  • The new Medicare prescription drug coverage plans: overall success or failure?

ROUND II: Europe

  • Are the EU's predictions of 2.1% economic growth this year realistic?
  • Will human rights reports regarding mentally ill children in Romania affect its admission into the EU?
  • What can France do to curb social tensions felt by French Muslims?
  • Should the EU set a deadline for voting on Turkey's admittance into the EU?
  • What effects will Jacque Chirac's back down on youth labor legislation have on a future French labor reforms?
  • Does Tony Blair have enough support to remain Prime Minister until the end of the term?
  • Can Britain's Conservative Party make significant gains on Labour in this year's election?
  • What importance does Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia's joining NATO have for the future of Balkan politics?
  • What should the CDU-SPD coalition do to improve Germany's unemployment rate?
  • Would Russia strengthening its military defenses decrease its responsiveness to international criticism?
  • How will recent accusations that Turkey committed genocide against Armenians in the 1990's change Turkish participation in military security exercises?
  • Will Uzbekistan yield to international pressure and start an investigation into the May 13, 2005 uprising?

ROUND III: The Americas

  • What does the recent election of leftist leaders in South America mean for the region's stability?
  • Does the election of Michelle Bachelet signify an increase in democracy in Chile?
  • How will police crackdowns against protests in Mexico affect the presidential elections?
  • What effect will the nationalization of Bolivian natural gas fields have on future private investment?
  • What effect will the triumph of the Conservative party in Canada have on the future of their social policies?
  • Does the trade pact between Bolivia, Cuba, and Venezuela have the potential to rival CAFTA?
  • How will standoffs between native Canadians and police affect the rights of indigenous people in Canada?
  • Will the return of Costa Rican president Oscar Arias transform the country's struggling economy?
  • How will foreign oil companies react to Venezuela's new tax on oil extraction?
  • How should President Vincente Fox respond to the recent mine disaster in Mexico?
  • Will Colombia's Supreme Court ruling that legalizes abortion turn abortion into an important election issue?
  • Is the end of the budget crisis with an emergency loan in Puerto Rico signify an end to its financial woes or only a temporary band aid?

ROUND IV: Foreign Policy

  • What can the US do to assure that the peace agreement in Sudan is successfully carried out?
  • What effect will the US's decision not to release Guantanamo Bay detainees to China have on Chinese-US relations?
  • How should the US respond to the rise of socialism in South America?
  • How should the US respond to the UN's decision to allow Cuba, China, and Saudi Arabia onto the Human Rights council?
  • How will Italian-US relations shift with the removal of Berlusconi?
  • Should the US work with NAFTA in efforts to curb bird flu in North America?
  • Does Israel control US middle east foreign policy, or vice versa?
  • Does the Guantanamo Bay prisons and prisoners constitute a significant barrier to improving America's image in the world?
  • What should the US do to alleviate tensions with Iran?
  • What should the US do about Israel's closing of the Kazai crossing into Gaza?
  • Will the US's decision to provide aid to Hammas increase the US's ability to influence the organization?
  • What effect would a US-Indian Civilian Nuclear Pact have on nuclear proliferation in India?

ROUND V: Africa/Middle East

  • What effect will President Paul Kagame's declaration that the Congo will no longer support Rwandan rebels have on relations between Congo and Rwanda?
  • Despite his acquittal, will rape charges spell the demise of NEC's deputy President Zuma's political future in South Africa?
  • How will continued threats from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad effect the chances of hostility between Israel and Iran?
  • Will a successful government form in Iraq within the next year?
  • How will the death of Nasser Khamis al-Mallahi influence Egyptian terror-prevention policy in the future?
  • Should France rescind its extreme government participation and support of former Franco-colonies?
  • Would President Obasanjo getting a third term destabilize democracy in Nigeria?
  • How will continued inflation influence Mugabe's stronghold on power in Zimbabwe?
  • Will recent increased acts of violence in Mogadishu, Somalia lead to renewed ethnic conflicts?
  • Does the recent peace deal between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Liberation Army represent a real breakthrough for peace in Darfur?
  • What can be done to restore normal oil drilling in the Niger Delta in Nigera?
  • Will Chad attempt to improve the living conditions in Sudanese refugee camps in the east?

ROUND VI: Economics

  • Will recent sustainable energy policies passed by the US federal government yield decreases in US dependence on foreign oil?
  • Illegal immigrants: boon or bane for the US economy?
  • What regulations could keep big oil from "profiteering" on oil supply fears?
  • Do Wal-Mart's low wages bring down wages for all unskilled workers?
  • Are high healthcare costs hurting small businesses in the US?
  • Should US tariffs on Brazilian ethanol be abolished?
  • What is the single greatest liability to the US economy today?
  • What does the discontinuation of the M3 index mean for the future of US monetary policy?
  • Will the amount of the US trade deficit continue to fall?
  • What can businesses do to combat lower sales due to high gas prices?
  • Will increased growth in the Euro-zone result in an interest rate hike by the European Central Bank?
  • Will Expedia's lower than expected quarterly earnings lead to decreased investment into internet stock?

QUARTERFINALS: Domestic Politics

  • What does the Supreme Court's most recent rejection of Kiren Kumar Bharti's request for stay from deportation mean for future state-drug conviction deportation cases before the court?
  • Will the Democrats' decision to place foreign policy over political retribution in their campaign platform for the 2006 election pay off in seats?
  • Would Hillary Clinton be a strong choice for Democrats in the 2008 presidential election?
  • Can Jeb Bush secure the Republican presidential nomination in 2008?
  • Will Gov. Schwarzenegger's new budget bill increase his popular appeal among moderates?
  • How will a veto of Congress's $105 billion spending bill affect presidential/congressional relations?
  • Can Karl Rove's new strategy gain enough support for the Republicans to prevent a Democrat takeover in the US House of Representatives?
  • Has the White House's reshuffle of its staff hurt its approval ratings?
  • Will CIA nominee Hayden's support of NSA programs, including wiretapping, prove to be an Achilles heel in the confirmation process?
  • Can Gov. Ernie Fletcher win a second term after being indicted for misdemeanor charges of illegally rewarding political supporters with state jobs?
  • Who will win the New Orleans mayor election?
  • Will Bush's extremely low approval ratings make him into a lame duck president?

SEMIFINALS: Asia

  • How will Myanmar's absence at ASEAN meetings affect the strength of the organization?
  • What can be done to restore political stability in East Timor?
  • What effect would a Philippine/Australia security pact have on efforts to combat terrorism in Southeast Asia?
  • Will cut interest rates in Indonesia yield an economic pay off?
  • Will peace talks with rebel groups in Nepal yield changes to the government structure?
  • How will China's economic growth influence the international oil market?
  • What are Vietnam's prospects as an international market hub in the future?
  • How should China respond to the extreme increased flow of cocaine through the country?
  • What can India do to fight increases in CO2 emissions?
  • What will be the effect of rising oil prices on Asian economies?
  • Does the dismissal of the graft case against former President Suharto indicate that political corruption will continue to exist in Indonesia?
  • What can be done to resolidify the truce between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan government?

 

All rights reserved. Questions are available for personal use only; question lists may not be posted to another website nor reproduced in any publication, except with express written permission (posting individual questions in a discussion setting is allowed). No TOC Extemp question may be used for any tournament or other official purpose.