Debate Should Be Insisted Upon As Election Becomes TV Event
Translated & summarized from Haaretz by baba
Televised debates between prime ministerial candidates are argued to be in the public interest for voters, despite the claim that Israeli voting is tribal and unaffected by such events. The author suggests the debates are not for electoral gain but to aid public decision-making.
The story in 3 lines · by baba
- Televised debates serve the public interest, not candidate gain.
- Israeli voting is tribal and not swayed by rational debate.
- Voters will not change their minds based on debate outcomes.
The rationale for establishing a norm of televised debates between prime ministerial candidates is not electoral benefit for the candidates or ratings for the broadcasting channel, but solely the public interest. Such debates serve the voting public in forming opinions and deciding for whom to vote. Voting in Israel is tribal and therefore not based on rational consideration, meaning voters will not change their minds due to a debate and will stick with their tribe regardless of its outcome. The article argues that voters do not need a debate as a tool to responsibly exercise their democratic right to vote.
