Is institutional neutrality necessary to preserve the university as a forum for open inquiry?

Is institutional neutrality necessary to preserve the university as a forum for open inquiry?

"Is institutional neutrality necessary to preserve the university as a forum for open inquiry rather than an actor in political disputes?"  This debate took place at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming, on June 23, 2026. Arguing the affirmative is Jonathan Turley, Professor at George Washington University Law School. Arguing the negative is Todd Wolfson, Professor at Rutgers University and President of the American Association of University Professors. This debate is moderated by Tony Blankley Fellow George Bogden.

Is the United States in the process of committing superpower suicide?

Steamboat Institute, in partnership with the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization and in association with CU’s Conference on World Affairs, is proud to present a compelling debate on the following resolution: Be it resolved, the United States is in the process of committing superpower suicide. Arguing the affirmative is Susan Rice, Domestic Policy Advisor (2021-2023); U.S. National Security Advisor (2013-2017); U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2009-2013). Arguing the negative is John Bolton, Author, The Room Where It Happened; National Security Advisor (2018-2019); U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (2005-2006). Moderator is Carine Hajjar, Opinion Journalist for The Washington Post and Steamboat Institute Fellow for Public Policy and American Exceptionalism.

Is the failure of civic education the primary cause of ideological partisanship in society?

The debate resolution is: Be it resolved, the failure of civic education in schools is the primary cause of ideological partisanship in society today. Arguing the affirmative is Josh Dunn, Ph.D., Professor and Executive Director of the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Arguing the negative is Timothy Messer-Kruse, Ph.D., Professor in the School of Cultural and Critical Studies at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Moderator is Kaylee McGhee White, Editor-in-Chief for Independent Women Features; Tony Blankley Fellow, Steamboat Institute.

Does AI require expanded federal regulation to safeguard the public interest?

AFFIRMATIVE: TYLER J. THOMPSON, Attorney specializing in Data Privacy and AI Regulation – Reed Smith LLP NEGATIVE: JOHN YOO, Emanuel S. Heller Professor of Law, UC-Berkeley; Distinguished Visiting Scholar, School of Civic Leadership, University of Texas at Austin A debate on AI policy at our 2026 Winter Policy Summit: America 250 in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.

Is scientific progress best achieved through publicly funded research initiatives?

Steamboat Institute, in partnership with the University of California, Davis, is proud to present a compelling debate on the following resolution: Be it resolved, scientific progress is best achieved through publicly funded research initiatives. Arguing the affirmative is Jon Hartley, economist and Policy Fellow at the Hoover Institution. Arguing the negative is John Early, Adjunct Scholar at the Cato Institute. Moderator is Carrie Sheffield, Senior Policy Analyst, Independent Women’s Forum; Tony Blankley Senior Fellow, Steamboat Institute.