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How do political debates affect the outcome of elections?

Abbey Bramwich

Political debates are an integral part of the democratic electoral process. They serve as platforms for candidates to express their ideas, opinions and political ideologies while, at the same time, allowing the electorate to evaluate and compare the visions and goals of those competing for public office. Debates are one of the most popular ways that politicians employ to communicate with their audience and are often considered one of the final chances for voters to make up their minds about the direction in which they want their country to be led. Therefore, debates undoubtedly have an impact on the outcome of elections.

One way political debates affect the election outcome is by allowing voters to get a sense of the level of preparedness, knowledge, and argumentative skills of the candidates. This may result in the audience getting a sense of whether the candidate would make a trustworthy leader based on their ability to articulate their views, answer questions coherently and completely. A debate provides a forum for the candidates to address each other directly and engage in debate. The electorate uses this to evaluate whether a candidate could perform well as a leader and make wise decisions on behalf of the country. In addition, the debates provide an occasion for citizens to clarify their own viewpoints on important issues based on the candidates' responses. By either agreeing, disagreeing, or remaining indecisive, the electorate makes their stand heard on contested issues with the candidate's interpretations.

Another manner in which debates affect the outcome of elections is by the increase (or decrease) of candidate popularity. For example, if a candidate performs exceptionally well in a debate, many voters are likely to become intrigued by them and want to do more in-depth research on them, or donate to their campaign. This increases competitiveness in the race, and can shift poles of political power. Candidates who are able to clearly articulate their views, lead compelling arguments, and have a strong presence often do better than their opponents who fail to convey confidence in their views.

Furthermore, political debates can help shape the outcome of the election by influencing the voter turnout. If the public views a certain candidate as more qualified or has an impression of the debate as having effective questions, a result is that more people decide to vote. This enables the electorate to participate more actively in the voting process. The resulting overall voter turnout can then have a substantial influence on the outcome of the election.

To sum up, Political debates serve as the ultimate test for political candidates during an election. Debates provide an opening for individuals to highlight what they stand for, show their knowledge and expertise, and gain the support of voting blocks. In essence, political debates play a crucial role in shaping the final outcome of an election and, as such, are of considerable importance to anyone invested in the democratic process.