State Surveillance Debate
May 2, 2014
Be it resolved, state surveillance is a legitimate defence of our freedoms…
It is the debate of the moment. In a risk-filled world, are democracies justified in turning to large-scale state surveillance, at home and abroad, to fight complex and unconventional threats? Or is the emergence of the surveillance state and the awesome powers it derives from information technology a new and pervasive threat to our basic freedoms?
For some the answer is obvious: the threats more than justify the current surveillance system, and the laws and institutions of democracies are more than capable of balancing the needs of individual privacy with collective security. For others, we are in peril of sacrificing to state surveillance and exaggerated terrorist threats the civil liberties that guarantee citizens’ basic freedoms.
Results
Pre-debate
Post-debate
Swing: 9% (Pro team win)
You may also like
June 9, 2025
– Listen
Munk Debates Podcast: Be it Resolved, this is America’s golden age
June 16, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Yossi Klein Halevi: why the West must support Israel’s war against Iran
July 3, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: how do you negotiate with Donald Trump?
July 10, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: irresponsible tax cuts on both sides of the border
July 15, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: Canada seeks to diversify its trade partnerships beyond the U.S
July 23, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: we are living through the golden age of conspiracy theories
July 29, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: The EU-US trade deal should serve as a warning to Canada and why supply management hurts the poorest Canadians
August 6, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: America’s checks and balances are failing to restrain Donald Trump
August 19, 2025
– Listen
Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: a phony peace deal for Ukraine could put all of Europe at risk
August 26, 2025
