Open to Debate · News

Open to Debate

America is more divided than ever—but it doesn’t have to be. Open to Debate offers an antidote to the chaos. We bring multiple perspectives together for real, nonpartisan debates. Debates that are structured, respectful, clever, provocative, and driven by the facts. Open to Debate is on a mission to restore balance to the public square through expert moderation, good-faith arguments, and reasoned analysis. We examine the issues of the day with the world’s most influential thinkers spanning science, technology, politics, culture, and global affairs. It’s time to build a stronger, more united democracy with the civil exchange of ideas. Be open-minded. Be curious. Be ready to listen. Join us in being Open to Debate. (Formerly Intelligence Squared U.S.)

Episodes

TikTok in the Classroom: Enhancing or Eroding the Teaching Profession?

10 Sep 2025

53m

Should the U.S. Be Ruled by a CEO Dictator?

05 Sep 2025

1h 18m

AI processed

This episode of "Open to Debate" features a debate on the resolution: "Should the U.S. be ruled by a CEO dictator?" Curtis Yarvin argues in favor, contending that the current American system of governance has failed and that a CEO dictator could provide more effective leadership, drawing parallels to corporations and h...

In this episode of "Open to Debate," John Donvan moderates a discussion between Alan Dershowitz and Larry Summers, both with long-standing affiliations with Harvard University, about President Trump's actions against the university and the broader issues of antisemitism, meritocracy, and academic freedom. While both ag...

Think Twice: Reading the Constitution with Justice Stephen Breyer

08 Jul 2025

53m

Are Sanctions An Effective Policy Tool?

01 Jul 2025

53m

Is Trump's America a Reliable Ally?

24 Jun 2025

53m

AI processed

This episode of "Open to Debate," in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations, features a debate on the question: "Is Trump's America a reliable ally?" The debaters, divided into affirmative and negative sides, present opening statements and engage in a discussion, addressing each other's points and answering ...