Debate Primer: Boycotting the Olympics
This week, Political Union will be debating whether the United States should boycott the 2022 Olympics hosted in Beijing, China. Here are some resources to prepare for the debate.
First, a basic rundown of action and commentary on the subject thus far from Nicholas Reimann, a correspondent from Forbes. [5 minutes ]
A brief rundown on the nature of Chinese Human Rights from Amnesty International.
And a succinct summary of responses from China, and in part the chair of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. [4 minutes ]
Including an update from on the State Department’s consideration of a boycott, and tensions with China. [4 minutes ]
The precedent of the infamous Georgia voting bill, and its intersections for Biden and Beijing. [3 minutes]
A reflection on the impact a potential boycott may have, as well as past boycotts from geopolitics reporter Annabelle Timsit. [4 minutes]
An update on a legislation introduced by Senators Romney and Kaine outlining a “diplomatic boycott” of the 2022 games, approved by a Senate committee as part of broader China legislation slated for the Senate floor.
A piece from the Editorial Board of the Washington Post begging companies to boycott Beijing. [4 minutes]
The case against a boycott from Gal Luft, a co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security. [6 minutes]
And a reflection on our proposed national spirit, free speech, and the related reasoning against a boycott. [4 minutes]
Reflections on a boycott and diplomacy, from Judy Hoarfrost —a member of the famed U.S. "Ping Pong Diplomacy" team in the 1970s; and another from a Anita DeFrantz — a member of the International Olympic Committee and winner of a bronze medal at the 1976 Olympic on Carter’s 1980s Olympic boycott.
