The First Lyceum Debate Released Today

Shikha Dalmia joins Tim Kane and Bob Litan to debate reforms to protect U.S. democracy

UNITED STATES, Dec. 8, 2022 // -- The American Lyceum, a Virginia-based nonprofit, today launched its inaugural Lyceum Debate, the first in its new online series to help rebuild civil discourse in the United States and serve as a role model for future presidential primary debates. The first debate features Shikha Dalmia, a visiting fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, alongside Lyceum co-founders Tim Kane and Bob Litan. It can be watched at the Lyceum website https://theamericanlyceum.org/debates/ or directly on the Lyceum’s YouTube channel.

Lyceum debates are designed to be engaging and constructive, with three minutes for each participant to recommend three ideas aimed at one common problem. They were inspired as an alternative format for policy debates that have in the political and media environments become destructive, zero-sum battles that feed negativity and tribalism.

Dr. Tim Kane, president of the new organization and a veteran of multiple center-right think tanks, says, “The Lyceum debate format requires participants to speak substantively for three minutes, which is an eternity when compared to the 60-second soundbites in modern presidential debates, engage in a civil cross-examination, and offer a 2-minute closing statement that focuses on multiple solutions rather than the conventional us-versus-them structure all too common in politics.”

Dr. Bob Litan, co-founder of the Lyceum and a longtime scholar at a center-left think tank believes that, “the ability for viewers to vote for the best ideas, not just the winning speaker, is what makes Lyceum debates compelling. We really wanted to get away from the notion of a winner and loser arguing over narrow and often scorched-earth topics. For example, it’s easy to fight over the minimum wage, but a lot more interesting to ask about the big picture: What are three ideas that will best help America create higher-paying jobs?”

About the American Lyceum Debate Series

The inaugural season of Lyceum debate videos is being launched today with another five in production for release in the coming months. Topics will primarily cover U.S. domestic and foreign policy, including debates about democratic institutions, economic growth, entrepreneurship, the U.S. military, energy, and global conflicts. All videos will be released directly on theamericanlyceum.org and announced on the Lyceum’s free substack newsletter and Twitter account @America_Lyceum.

About the American Lyceum

The American Lyceum is a new think tank dedicated to innovative public policy research and a stronger civil society. The Lyceum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational institution, founded in mid 2022. All donations to the Lyceum are tax-deductible. 

Its founders were inspired by the LYCEUM of Athens, where Aristotle established his school thousands of years ago, and the Lyceum Movement which swept the United States in the 19th century – places for continuous, free learning for American citizens. American Lyceums helped launch the career of Abraham Lincoln & gave a platform to early advocates for women’s rights.

Contact: For questions or interviews, please contact Robin Deane, robin@theamericanlyceum.org.

SOURCE The American Lyceum