Globalisation is detrimental to democracy

We live in an increasingly globalised world. International institutions such as the UN, the EU, the WTO, the World Bank and the IMF are now hugely significant actors that have a massive influence on our daily lives. It is said, however, that these institutions are not democratic and often limit, ...more...

United Ireland: Yes or no?

Ireland has posed a major political issue for Britain for centuries. It has centred around the desire of nationalists for an independent country which still hasn't been settled. Northern Ireland over the past decade has found a strong basis for peace and has prospered massively economically. The ...more...

should we be free to express our religion as we wish?

Many countries in the present day are considered as democracies or are fighting for democracy, thus do you not believe that being able to wear something so simple as a religious symbol or to speak freely about something you truly believe in (sort of what were doing now) is what could be deemed as...more...

This house believes contemporary society was created more through chance than design.

Contemporary society is a vast, complex system with a myriad of factors affecting its formation and expansion. Was it by design or chance that society has ended up how it is today? more...

Religions should not qualify as charities

Currently in both the US and Britain churches and other religious organisations qualify for charitable status. Why?more...

Should Britain have revealed evidence of torture?

Living in a democratic society where many actively uphold their rights and seek extended freedom, we like to be kept informed of the monstrous wrongs that go on in our country. When confronted with the gruesome facts of child abuse or rape cases, we respond with a public outcry and point the fin...more...

Anti-obesity pills should be sold by pharmacists

The anti-obesity pill, orlistat, which works by blocking the absorption of fat in the body, has recently been licensed to be sold in chemists within the EU. However, due to the effects and the consequences that the introduction of this pill could have on people both physically and psychologically...more...

The elevated media hype surrounding Obama’s inauguration and forthcoming presidency is due to th...

According to The Hollywood Reporter president Obama's inauguration was possibly the most widely viewed inauguration in American history. The build up was huge, the anticipation was huge, and the coverage was vast - from mainstream television channels such as CNN to cablers as diverse as BET, TV O...more...

The controversy surrounding the new EU artwork is a good thing.

Czech artist David Cerny has sparked great controversy over his 'Entropa' installation, created to mark the Czech Republic's six-month presidency of the European Union. The artwork represents each member state in various unflattering ways, such as Bulgaria as a Turkish toilet, Romania as a vampi...more...

Is the environment being sacrificed for the economy?

On 15th January the British government approved the construction of a third runway for Heathrow Airport, Europe's busiest airport. Whilst the project still requires planning permission, it has become subject to a huge controversy particularly opposed by environmentalists. Through the expansion of...more...

Benitez was right – Manchester United get away with murder.

On the 9th of January, the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, hit out in a public statement about what he sees as the unfair position of the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Claiming that Ferguson and Manchester United have a privileged position as virtually ‘untouchable’ by the FA, ...more...

Obama should investigate Bush for war crimes.

The conduct of Bush's administration has been shocking, and hugely detrimental to the standing of the US in world opinion. If he wants to preside over and administration that can have a legitimate claim to respecting international law and human rights, Obama must launch an investigation into char...more...

this house would ban music that glorifies crime

Is this just about youth culture and the link to crime - or does it have wider issues. Are we looking just at lyrics that incite crime or should we ban Holst's Mars the god of war. How do we go about banning it?more...

do we live in a physicaly real world

Metaphysics has been around for centuries, but now with recent advances in science we are beginning to discover that which we see may only be a hologram, which means the things we see may not really be there and only constructs of our imagination, tho be it our combined imagination, this is conne...more...

Valentines Day is just a Hallmark ploy

The 14th of February is a date which annually brings around equal measure of love and cynicism, with some couples seeing it as a welcome time to joyfully celebrate their union, and others as a coercive social convention which could be done without. Is St.Valentines Day a cunning capitalist scheme...more...

Should 'extremists' be banned from entering the UK?

Whether or not it can be morally justified to deny ‘extremists’ entry from the UK must initially be addressed by defining such a term. Given the terror attacks of recent years it seems perfectly reasonable for the UK to exclude individuals who condone such acts; yet an animal rights activist coul...more...

Should humans eat meat?

Many people in the word now are becoming vegetarians. This debate will deal with the question: Is this a good idea?more...

Should the West provide a Marshall Plan for Pakistan

Western troops are fighting the so-called War on Terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, but Pakistan is also engaged in the war fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters on its own soil. While Western troops are not involved in the fighting in Pakistan, the West has pressured Pakistan, a poor country, t...more...

Lego or Legos?

What is the correct plural for the term Lego, is it Lego or Legos?more...

Both developed and developing countries came to the climate conference with a donor mentality?

This conference as with so many has the developed world arrayed against the developing world. Even where there are members of the developing world with immense emissions they are mostly ignored by their developing colleagues. The developing world wants aid, not in the form of food aid but a new f...more...