Exploring debate skills as practical techniques to salvage the demos

Abstract

Now more than ever, people who enjoy open societies must recognize democratic fragility while considering practical methods of preserving democratic governance. In this paper, I explore some of the nuances in the relationship between citizen engagement and democratic institutions. I will concentrate on educational deficiencies that occur in a liberal polity as well as address pragmatic strategies that can address the precarious positions experienced in democracies. In particular, I will address the vital skills inherent to academic debate practices. While not a panacea, I will underscore how debate activities promote invaluable life-long skills that are prerequisites for a functional demos.