• Definition & Role in Parli
  Policy debate in Parliamentary (Parli) debate differs from traditional Policy debate formats. In Parli, policy often emerges when debaters advocate for or critique specific courses of action.
  A “policy” refers to a proposed plan of action by a governmental or institutional actor.
  → Often appears in “should” resolutions (e.g., “This House would ban private prisons.”)
• Why Policy Matters in Parli
  → Gov teams build realistic, persuasive plans.
  → Opp teams critique feasibility, propose counterplans, or defend the status quo.

• 2.1 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  → Are benefits > costs?
  • Consider scope, magnitude, probability
  • Quantify impacts: e.g. “Plan saves 5,000 lives/year” vs “Costs $1B annually”
• 2.2 Feasibility & Implementation
  • Does the actor have jurisdiction (e.g. federal vs state)?
  • What are the resource/funding/enforcement requirements?
• 2.3 Solvency
  • Does the plan solve the harm?
  • Test: mechanism → outcome (e.g., regulation, incentive, education)
• 2.4 Status Quo & Counterfactuals
  • Status quo = current conditions
  • Counterfactual = what happens without plan
  Opp can:
  - Defend status quo
  - Offer counterplan
  - Argue change creates harms

• 3.1 Legislation: Passed by parliaments/legislatures (e.g., Clean Air Act). Requires alignment, enforced by law.
• 3.2 Regulation: Created by executive agencies (EPA, FDA). More flexible than legislation.
• 3.3 Incentives & Disincentives: Tax credits, fines, subsidies. Common in climate, health, education.
• 3.4 Public Services & Programs: Direct provision (e.g., Medicare, public schools). Opp may argue inefficiency or favor private alternatives.
• 3.5 International Policy Tools: Diplomacy, sanctions, aid. Used in foreign policy, global health, security.

• 4.1 Writing a Solid Plan Text (Gov)
  Include:
  - Agent: Who acts
  - Mandate: What they do
  - Enforcement: How it’s ensured
  - Funding: How it’s paid for
• 4.2 Testing Policy Proposals (Opp)
  Use disadvantages: economic harm, rights violation, instability
  Present counterplans with better solvency or cost
• 4.3 Framing and Impact Calculus (Both)
  Prioritize impacts by:
  - Time frame (which happens first)
  - Magnitude (severity)
  - Probability (likelihood)
  - Reversibility (permanence)

• 5.1 News & Analysis: Politico, BBC World, Brookings, CFR
• 5.2 Research Tools: govtrack.us, CBO, World Bank
• 5.3 Think Tanks: Heritage Foundation, Center for American Progress, RAND Corp
• 5.4 Podcasts: Today Explained, The Daily, Planet Money