Political debate is a key part of political campaigns and often a key factor in influencing public opinion. Debates provide an opportunity for voters to sharpen their views about the candidates and their positions in a structured forum. But how do these events work, and what role does the audience play in a debate? This article explores the basics of political debate.
The debate format varies depending on the type of event, but a standard format includes opening and closing remarks by candidates followed by questioning from moderators and members of the audience. Time is typically divided equally between the candidates, with each being allowed around 2 minutes to answer a question. If a question is contested, the candidates may be given additional time to rebut one another. Moderators may use a variety of methods to signal when the candidate’s time is running out, including a buzzer or colored lights (green indicates 30 seconds remaining, yellow indicates 15 seconds and red means only 5 seconds remain).
Since their origins in the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1860, political debates have become a fixture in election campaigns. But it’s important to remember that debates aren’t a substitute for other types of information about the candidates, and in fact, may be counterproductive if the participants engage in too much self-congratulation and demonizing. The same is true for social media commentary about the debates, which can amplify false and misleading statements made by candidates.