Welcome to the Debate Evaluation!


You'll be evaluating a debate where two sides discuss a topic. Your opinion matters - you'll vote how persuasive each side is in each stage. We will use your feedback to improve the debate quality.

What to Expect:

Debate Structure

The full debate includes:

  • Opening: 4 min audio per side
  • Rebuttal: 4 min audio per side
  • Closing: 2 min audio per side

You'll evaluate a portion of this debate.

Your Evaluation Tasks

For each stage, you'll:

  • Rate the persuasiveness of each side's statements
  • Update your position after hearing each argument
  • Provide optional feedback
Final Comparison

In the final stage:

  • You'll see two versions of each side's closing statement
  • Rate each version independently
  • Select which version you found more persuasive
Important: Before beginning, you'll vote for the side you initially support. After each stage, you'll have the opportunity to reconsider and update your position based on the arguments presented.
Note: Throughout the evaluation, you'll encounter attention check questions to ensure data quality. Participants who demonstrate thoughtful engagement will receive compensation as agreed. If you're unable to commit to providing quality responses, you may exit the survey at any time without penalty.
Second Questionnaire: This questionnaire takes around 10 minutes. After submitting this questionnaire, you will be automatically redirected to the next questionnaire, which will take around 15 minutes. If both questionnaires are completed, you will receive the compensation as agreed. If you are unable to commit to completing both questionnaires at this time, please feel free to exit. We understand that your time is valuable and appreciate your participation thus far.

Rating Guide for Persuasiveness:

1
Poor

Limited evidence with poor organization or fundamental logic flaws. Disengage with no audience awareness.

2
Weak

Reasonable statements with at least one noticeable weakness.

3
Moderate

Reasonable statements, which provide on-topic evidence with logical flow and balanced emotional tone showing basic audience awareness

4
Strong

Reasonable statements with at least one impressive shining points.

5
Compelling

Powerful evidence with effective counterpoints and create deep connection with audience.

* indicate required question

Motion: Labor Unions Are Beneficial To Economic Growth


Question 1: Pre-Vote Stage
Question 2: Opening Stage
Output A - For Side
(Optional) For - Transcript A
Good morning, everyone. We're here today to discuss whether labor unions are beneficial to economic growth, and we firmly stand in support. To be clear, we define labor unions as organizations representing workers, advocating for improved wages, working conditions, and overall well-being through collective bargaining. We contend that this directly benefits economic growth, measured by indicators such as GDP, productivity, and, crucially, income equality.

To accurately judge the motion, we must consider GDP, productivity gains, and greater income equality. Positive contributions to these areas demonstrate the beneficial impact of unions.

First, labor unions boost wages, leading to higher consumer spending and, consequently, economic growth. When workers receive fair compensation, they have more disposable income to spend on goods and services. This increased demand stimulates production, creates jobs, and invigorates the economy. It's a straightforward yet powerful cycle. *The Century Foundation* has found that reducing income inequality spurs economic growth because it puts more money into the hands of lower and middle-income people, who are very likely to spend it . This spending fuels businesses and creates opportunities for growth.

Second, collective bargaining through unions reduces income inequality, leading to a stronger and more resilient middle class. Unions advocate for equitable wages and benefits for all workers, narrowing the gap between the highest and lowest earners. According to *a report by the U.S. Department of the Treasury*, unions help reduce income inequality and help both union and non-union workers earn higher wages . A strong middle class forms the backbone of a healthy economy. With more people financially secure, there's greater social stability and increased investment in essential sectors like education and healthcare. As highlighted by *Clark Merrefield in The Journalist's Resource in 2021*, the rise of unions from 1936 to 1968 explains about 25% of the decline during that period in the Gini coefficient, a common measure of income inequality . Strong unions ensure that economic prosperity is shared more broadly, rather than concentrated at the top.

Third, unions invest in worker training and skills development, increasing productivity and competitiveness in the global market. Unions often provide apprenticeship programs, vocational training, and continuing education opportunities for their members. *MEPI Policy Analyst Andrew Wilson* notes that union programs include a self-financing instrument that does not exist in the nonunion side of the industry . This investment in human capital equips workers with the skills they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing economy. *Research shows that union learning* has considerable success in helping employees access a wide variety of learning opportunities . It makes the workforce more productive, innovative, and adaptable, which benefits both businesses and the economy as a whole.

In conclusion, labor unions are not solely about protecting workers; they are about building a stronger, more equitable, and more prosperous economy for everyone. By boosting wages, reducing income inequality, and investing in worker training, unions play a crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth. We challenge the opposition to demonstrate how, without unions, we can ensure fair wages, reduce income inequality, and maintain a competitive workforce in the face of globalization and technological advancements. We look forward to a productive debate.

Output B - For Side
(Optional) For Transcript B
Good morning, everyone. We're here today to discuss why labor unions are beneficial to economic growth. We face significant economic challenges: stagnant wages, rising income inequality, and skilled labor shortages that impede critical infrastructure projects. Labor unions offer a powerful solution. To ensure clarity, let's define our terms. Labor unions are organizations representing workers, advocating for improved wages, working conditions, and overall well-being through collective bargaining. Economic growth will be measured by indicators like GDP, productivity, and income equality across all demographics within the current global landscape. Today, we will demonstrate how labor unions positively impact each of these critical indicators, leading to overall economic growth.

Our criterion for this debate is identifying which side demonstrates the greatest potential for positive impact on overall economic growth. Policies that tangibly improve economic indicators should be considered beneficial.

First, labor unions boost wages, leading to higher consumer spending and economic growth. Increased wages empower workers to purchase more, stimulating demand and fostering economic expansion. *The Center for American Progress*, in their analysis of the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, found that union households possess significantly more wealth, approximately $338,482, compared to nonunion households with about $199,948. This directly translates into increased spending, particularly for low- and middle-income workers. When workers have more money, they spend it locally, supporting businesses and creating jobs, fueling economic growth. This increase in spending directly contributes to GDP growth as businesses expand to meet demand, a model that can be replicated and scaled across the country.

Second, collective bargaining through unions reduces income inequality, leading to a stronger middle class. Union negotiations ensure workers receive a fairer share of profits. This narrows the wealth gap, strengthening the middle class and creating a more balanced economy. *Research published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics* indicates that the rise of unions from 1936 to 1968 explains about 25% of the decline in the Gini coefficient, a key measure of income inequality. By reducing income inequality, unions foster a more stable and equitable economic environment, boosting long-term productivity and overall economic health, a model that can be replicated and scaled across the country.

Finally, union apprenticeships create skilled tradespeople, filling essential roles and supporting infrastructure development. Union-sponsored programs provide comprehensive training in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work, meeting the demand for skilled workers. *A 2023 study by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute * found that union apprenticeship programs in Indiana’s construction industry deliver more training hours and better diversity outcomes. By providing standardized, high-quality training, union apprenticeships contribute to a more productive and efficient workforce, directly supporting GDP growth through infrastructure development and innovation, a model that can be replicated and scaled across the country.


(Optional) Question 5: Which factors were most crucial in your assessment?
(Optional) Question 6: How long did you spend on this whole evaluation process (including reading the motion, listening to the debate, and answering the questions)?

If you find that you can't submit the results, please check back to see if you have filled in your name and if you have answered every required question with *. Thank you.

© CMU Debate Team