As the nation gears up for the 2020 presidential election, we ask: Is the two-party system good for democracy? Does relying on two hugely powerful political bodies drive division and push voters to the extremes? Or does the two-party system moderate the electorate and make the nation governable? 

Keynote Conversation:

Joanne Freeman - Professor of History and American Studies, Yale University

For the Motion:

Yascha Mounk - Author, "The People vs. Democracy"

Norman Ornstein - Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

Against the Motion:

Lee Drutman - Author, "Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop"

Katherine Gehl - Entrepreneur & Political Reformer

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For decades, the development of nuclear power has sparked staunch debate among scientists, politicians, and activists alike. Proponents claim that nuclear energy is the most effective way to combat climate change while still meeting the world's growing demand for energy. But its critics argue that expanding nuclear energy is dangerous, costly, and ill-advised. Should nuclear energy fuel our future?

Keynote Conversation:

Bill Nye - Scientist and CEO of the Planetary Society

For the Motion:

Kirsty Gogan - Co-founder and Executive Director of Energy for Humanity

Daniel Poneman - Former Deputy Secretary of Energy

Against the Motion:

Gregory B. Jaczko - Former Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Arjun Makhijani - President of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research

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Is the American political system broken? In his new book, Ezra Klein argues that the system isn't malfunctioning, it's doing exactly what it was designed to accomplish. In this special episode of Discourse Disrupters, John Donvan sits down with one of the nation's most prominent political journalists to ask one critical question: Why are we polarized?

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Does capitalism need saving? In this special episode, Intelligence Squared partners with Foreign Affairs to take a nuanced look at the state of the capitalism debate in America, and the potential problems facing our economic system. Joining host John Donvan is Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz with recent Intelligence Squared alum and Reason editor-in-chief Katherine Mangu-Ward.

A message from our sponsors: Watch or listen to Argumentation – and any of The Great Courses Plus’ thousands of lectures - Free for an Entire Month! Get started now thegreatcoursesplus.com/DEBATE

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Now legal in nine U.S. states and the District of Columbia, physician-assisted suicide has a growing contingency that want to legalize the practice. Will these laws lead to a slippery slope, where the vulnerable are pressured to choose death and human life is devalued? Or do we need to recognize everyone’s basic right to autonomy, the right to end pain and suffering, and the right to choose to die with dignity?

FOR THE MOTION:

Peter Singer - Philosopher & Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University

Andrew Solomon - Author, "Far From the Tree" & Prof. of Clinical Psychology, Columbia University

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Baroness Ilora Finlay - President, British Medical Association & Member, House of Lords

Dr. Daniel Sulmasy - Prof. of Medicine and Ethics, University of Chicago & Member, Presidential Bioethics Commission

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In this special episode of Intelligence Squared U.S., host and moderator John Donvan sits down with our newly appointed CEO Clea Conner to pull back the curtain on how we make our debates, choose debaters, and talk about what happens off the stage.

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Capitalism has always had its critics. But now, a new generation of political leaders, scholars, and activists are calling the free-market system into question. Has capitalism been a force for good? And should it be the economic model of the future?

FOR THE MOTION:

John Mackey - Co-Founder & CEO, Whole Foods Market

Katherine Mangu-Ward - Editor-in-Chief, Reason

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Bhaskar Sunkara - Founding Editor, Jacobin

Richard D. Wolff - Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

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How much does our DNA shape who we become? Four experts in science and psychology debate the classic "nature versus nurture" question with a eye toward recent breakthroughs in genetic science and DNA testing.

FOR THE MOTION:

Robert Plomin - Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King’s College London

Nancy Segal - Professor of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton & Director, Twin Studies Center

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Paige Harden - Psychology Professor, University of Texas

Ann Pleshette Murphy - Author & Parenting Expert

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Should we look to Europe for the future of big tech regulations? Four leading thinkers in tech, governance, and law debate the state and future of big tech, and whether it's time to impose greater regulations on companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.

FOR THE MOTION:

Roslyn Layton - Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise Institute

Berin Szóka - Founder and President, TechFreedom

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Marietje Schaake - International Policy Director, Stanford's Cyber Policy Center & Fmr. Member, European Parliament

Ramesh Srinivasan - Director, UC Digital Cultures Lab & Professor, UCLA

Cast your vote at www.iq2us.org

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Students for Fair Admissions just challenged Harvard's affirmative action guidelines in federal court, and lost. But the advocacy group is gearing up to make their case again – this time, in the Supreme Court. In this episode, we revisit this timely and contentious debate: Does the Constitution allow racial preferences in university admissions?

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