The theme for round 4 of this year's Debatable IV is economics! We are living in the middle of a recession because of the pandemic. One of the ways that central banks try to stimulate the economy is by setting "ultra-low" interest rates. Theoretically, low interest rates help stimulate the flow of money by encouraging lending and investment, but theory doesn't always match reality.

 

The motion reads: THR the policy of central banks to set ultra-low interest rates when facing severe economic downturns. Thanks so much to Nicky Solis for contributing this motion and post-debate analysis!

 

00:00 Introduction

1:24 Getting over your fear of econ

3:46 What inspired this motion?

4:57 What do central banks do?

7:51 What are interest rates?

11:33 How does the interest rate affect the economy?

13:16 When and why would rates be high?

15:59 Framing on gov

19:14 Are the harms inherent to ultra low rates?

24:18Will bank runs happen?

25:55 Extending on gov

28:26 Reframing on opp

32:36 Why would people follow the central bank?

35:21 Usury Laws & the Opp alternative

36:30 How do low rates help the economy?

40:20 Future matterloading

43:01 How can debaters be more interested in economics?