1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: What can democratic societies do to encourage authoritarian regimes to stop assailing civil and human rights?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether the U.S. should boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics, which will take place in Beijing. There has been growing talk about whether the U.S. and other countries should boycott the Games in protest of China’s human rights abuses.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Mandie McKeown leads an organization that fights for human rights in Tibet, which is governed by China. Senator Mitt Romney helps shape U.S. foreign policy.)