“Is the American Century ending?” was the question posed by the 26th Great Debate sponsored by Boston University’s College of Communication that was held earlier this month.

Arguing for the affirmative were:

Andrew J. Bacevich
Professor of International Relations and History
Founder, REAP Coalition

Robert S. Litwak
Director of International Securities Studies
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Sarah Thomas, ‘10 MS
College of Communication

Arguing for the negative were:

Robert J. Lieber
Professor of Government and International Affairs
Georgetown University

Ruth Wedgwood
Edward B. Burling Professor of International Law and Diplomacy;
Director of the International Law and Organizations Program
Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies

Andrew Jones, ‘09
College of Communication

Modeled after the Cambridge and Oxford University Union Societies’ public discussions, Boston University’s Great Debates involve a series of speeches alternating for and against the topic, and includes audience participation — as the audience decides the outcome of the debate by voting with their feet i.e. moving to the side of the room representing their decision.

Tags: globalization, politics