3.03 page 4 Resolutions of Value

A value resolution is a broad statement that establishes a general ideal or value judgment about the world or a particular set of events or actions in the world.

An example of a value resolution is, “Resolved: When the values are in conflict, the United Nations should prioritize global poverty reduction over environmental protection.”

Debates on the resolution would introduce arguments about the desirability of prioritizing “global poverty reduction over environmental protection” in situations where the two aims conflict. This would lead to a discussion surrounding why prioritizing global poverty reduction has benefits. Normative resolutions require debaters to establish burdens beyond mere empirical truth; they must demonstrate what is valuable and then demonstrate that the resolution accords with that concept of value.