In the era of social media, political debate has become more ferocious and personal than ever before. While the speed of technological development often outpaces our ability to monitor and assess the problem, we can take steps to shape productive debate that reflects an informed citizenry.
Typically, debate formats include opening statements and closing remarks by the candidates, as well as a series of questions asked by the moderator and answered by the candidates. The question-and-answer format can be organized in a variety of ways. Each candidate may be given equal time to answer a question, but the format can also involve rebuttals and cross-examination. The moderator usually sets the time limits for each question; for example, a candidate might be given 2 minutes to answer a specific question and 30 seconds to rebut a point made by the opposing candidate. In some debates, a color-coded system resembling traffic lights is used to signal how much time the candidate has left.
The organization staging the debate selects the candidates to participate based on objective criteria, such as the number of votes received in previous elections and a demonstrated capacity to respond to complex issues in a public forum. Debates are generally held on college campuses, as this helps promote political engagement among students and encourages them to participate in their communities. Non-presidential debates are often arranged to help voters better understand their local and state government and civic life.
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