Civics debate topics for the classroom

Discussions and debates on politics are a cornerstone of any democratic society, and now it’s easy to make them a cornerstone of your lessons with our list of engaging civics debate topics!

To get started, head over to Kialo Edu today — it’s completely free and always will be! Check out these civics debate topics in our extensive Topic Library to create engaging discussions and open the debate chamber in your classroom.

General civics debate topics

• Is it okay to end friendships over politics?
• Should monarchies be abolished?
• Should political parties be required to disclose the sources of their campaign funding?
• Should the House of Lords be abolished?
• Should there be a mandatory retirement age for politicians?
• Should there be mandatory training for politicians?
• Should there be quotas for women in government?
• Should there be stricter regulations on lobbying activities?
• What is the best mode of peaceful protest?
• What is the best way to increase political participation amongst marginalized groups?
• What is the most important quality a country’s leader should have?
• What is the most pressing political issue in the country today?
• Which is better: “big” or “small” government?

Civics debate topics on democracy

• Can the US regain its position as a full democracy?
• Is a flawed election better than no election?
• Is democracy a good form of government?
• Is Iran a democracy?
• Is proportional representation a better electoral system than the first-past-the-post system?
• National referendums: Should more laws be put to the citizens to accept or reject?
• Should all citizens be required to vote?
• Should citizens have to pass a political knowledge test in order to vote?
• Should IDs be required to vote?
• Should India still be known as the world’s largest democracy?
• Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote in general elections?
• Should there be term limits for elected officials?
• What are the greatest threats to democracies today?
• Will Hong Kong ever become a democracy?

Civics debate topics on economic policy

• Are fair trade schemes actually fair?
• Has China’s global economic power reached its peak?
• Has the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement been successful so far?
• Is the dollarization of Argentina’s economy a good idea?
• Should billionaires be taxed more?
• Should governments provide a job guarantee?
• Should monetary policy be controlled by an independent central bank?
• Should 10-year-olds be allowed part-time jobs?
• Should the African Union have a common currency like the Euro?
• Should there be a universal basic income?
• Should we lower international trade barriers?
• What is the best economic system to live under?

Civics debate topics on educational policy

• Are there too many school holidays?
• Should education systems place less emphasis on rote learning?
• Does higher education in Latin America deepen inequalities?
• Has government investment improved rural schools in China?
• Should schools provide free meals for all students?
• Should schools start later in the day?
• Should students in the UK still have to take GCSEs?
• Should the government of India spend a greater percentage of its GDP on education?
• Should the US government have more control over charter schools?
• Should university be free?
• What is the most effective strategy to increase school attendance in areas with low rates?
• What is the best way for the government to address education inequalities for girls?

Civics debate topics on environmental policy

• Are capitalism and ecology compatible?
• Are governments doing enough to fight climate change?
• Do rich countries have an obligation to help poorer countries weather climate change?
• How can governments ensure a just transition to renewable energies?
• Is it possible to build cities that don’t harm the environment?
• Is it realistic to expect governments in the Global South to prioritize climate change action over everything else?
• Should citizens try to sue corporations and governments over climate change?
• Should Europe expand its reliance on Middle Eastern fossil fuels?
• Should public transport be free?
• Should single-use plastics be banned?
• Should we ban air travel to help fight climate change?

Civics debate topics on human rights

• Do children need privacy?
• Does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights meet the needs of every country?
• Has the Maputo Protocol been effective in improving women’s rights in Africa?
• Should all women have the right to an abortion?
• Should foreign intervention be used to protect women’s rights?
• Should governments accord the same importance to cultural rights as they do to human rights?
• Should governments impose population controls?
• Should human rights be part of politics?
• Should LGBTQ+ people automatically be granted asylum in “safe” countries?
• Should prisoners have the right to vote?
• Should wealthier countries be forced to accept more refugees?
• Should governments pay reparations to women?
• What is the best way for international organizations to collaborate with governments to improve LQBTQ+ rights?

Civics debate topics on international relations

• Do the political advantages of joining a supranational organization outweigh the political disadvantages?
• Is globalization a good thing?
• Is the US embargo of Cuba justified?
• Should countries have strict limits on immigration?
• Should governments spend money on foreign aid?
• Should we discourage nationalism?
• Was Brexit a good idea?
• What are the political implications of Russia increasing its influence over African nations at the expense of France?
• What is the main cause of political polarization in Southeast Asia?
• What is the main driver of Iranian-Russian cooperation?

Civics debate topics on media

• Are online “buzzers” and “bots” the biggest political threat in Southeast Asia?
• Can online movements like the Milk Tea Alliance really influence political decisions?
• Does traditional media help or hinder public understanding of political issues in the US?
• Is a fragmented internet inevitable?
• Is it a bad idea to mix entertainment with news?
• Is negative political advertising bad for democracy?
• Is social media a threat or benefit to democracy?
• Is the right to privacy more important than freedom of the press?
• Should advertising be allowed to target children?
• Should kids be able to have social media?
• Should news outlets that spread misinformation be shut down?
• Should the government limit the time kids can spend playing video games?
• What has been the biggest impact of social media on African politics?
• What is the best way to prevent digital authoritarianism? 
• Which social media platform would be best to ban?

Civics debate topics on national security

• Is Japan justified in updating its security policies?
• Is there likely to be military conflict over the Taiwan Strait?
• Is torture justifiable in the name of security?
• Is war ever justifiable?
• Should societies prioritize freedom over security?
• Was China justified in implementing the national security law in Hong Kong?
• What is the best way to deal with abusive governments and armed groups?
• What is the biggest threat to global security?
• Will the African Union’s Peace and Security Council be effective in improving security in Africa?

Civics debate topics on public health

• Should menstrual products be provided by the government?
• Should the MENA governments prioritize recruitment and retention of medical professionals?
• Should there be a tax on junk food?
• Should vaccines be mandatory?
• What is the best way for the UK government to reduce NHS waiting times?
• What is the best way for the US government to make healthcare more affordable?
• What is the most critical public health problem facing African governments?
• Should substance use be treated as a public health issue rather than a criminal one?
• Will government investment in digital healthcare technologies improve the quality of healthcare in Southeast Asia?

Civics debate topics on religion

• Can religion and politics be separated?
• Is Christianity compatible with democracy?
• Is Islam compatible with democracy?
• Is Judaism compatible with democracy?
• Should governments allow religious symbols to be worn in public spaces?
• Should governments be allowed to place restrictions on religions?
• Should modern justice systems include religious principles?
• Should political leaders be allowed to express their own religious beliefs?
• Should religious holiday displays be allowed in public places?
• Should religious organizations be tax-exempt?
• Should there be legal exemptions for religious individuals?

Civics debate topics on the law and justice systems

• Do African governments need to create child-friendly justice systems?
• Do Netanyahu’s plans to weaken the courts threaten Israel’s democracy?
• Should judges be elected by the people?
• Should jury trials be abolished?
• Should the Japanese government end the “hostage justice” system?
• Should the US have stricter gun control?
• Should there be a death penalty?
• Should undocumented migrants face prosecution? 
• Which purpose of the criminal justice system is most important?

Looking for debate topics in more languages? We’ve got you covered! Explore our extensive collection to spark captivating class discussions with students, no matter the language you’re teaching in.