
As we recall, there was no debate in 2002, Jacques Chirac refused to debate with Jean-Marie Le Pen, because "the face of intolerance and hatred, there is no deal possible, no debate possible "(1).
France, a precursor major presidential debates
Our country was in 1974, one of the first countries to broadcast a televised debate between presidential candidates. Contrary to what one might expect, the United States has not been much further ahead in this area. Certainly, in 1960, a first series of televised debates between the Democratic and Republican candidates for the presidency, John Kennedy and Richard Nixon, took place in 1960. But the practice was then discontinued (2) and did not resume until 1976, not without difficulties. In Europe, major televised debates between leaders political coalitions are not systematic (it is true that elections are in the presence of first parties and not individuals as in the French presidential election). Only during the 2005 election was held a televised debate for the first time in Germany between the candidates in the Chancery. And in Britain, this practice has not yet become the norm although it is regularly required.
These debates are very popular with voters and collect huge audiences (23 million to broadcast the debate of 1974 it is true on three channels, almost 17 million for the last debate in 1995). They give rise to exchanges of high intensity and also the famous little phrases that will be remembered long after the election.
In 1974, we remember and Valery Giscard d'Estaing had touched a low of François Mitterrand, calling him "a man of the past." Obviously, the formula had been carefully prepared for VGE constantly hammered this theme repeatedly accusing his opponent to refer to France before and afraid to project into the future with new ideas.
was less noted, however, another point of debate (29th minute) when FM VGE addressed by talking of Clermont-Ferrand, "a city that knows you and knows me well." But why mention Clermont-Ferrand? Jean-François Balmer, who at this time "replays" with Jacques Weber debates of 1974 and 1981 at the Theatre de la Madeleine , recently gave me the key to this little conundrum is the home town of Anne Pingeot. And one can imagine, from CCV, the allusion was not accidental but intended to destabilize FM (3), or at least make him understand that he was aware of his emotional life.
The rules of debateAny discussion must follow rules that define its course (what is generally called the debate format). This concern:
- the overall length of the debate and its various components;
- the roles of various participants and how their interventions;
- the layout of the place of debate;
- and, if television broadcasting, terms of framing. In France, plans to cut (Frame a candidate while the other talks) have been far systematically denied during the second round of debates.
In a political debate, we can distinguish:
- debaters itself (politicians, candidates),
- the questioners (journalists, and sometimes public)
- the host attached to respect the rules and especially those relating to time.
The political debate in America: Myth and Reality
When we speak of election debate in France, it often refers to "the American political debate." This was particularly the case in October 2006 during the debate between the candidates canidature PS.
This reference is doubly funny.
Why should we take the American model as an example of good political debate?
No, the United States, a single format for political debate, but rather a multitude of formats (each election giving rise to heated discussions on the correct format), and all are subject to criticism .
Since 1948, three major types of formats were used in primaries or U.S. presidential campaigns (with many variations of each):
- format podium candidates are standing behind a lectern or sitting on chairs. They face the panelists to (reporters) and moderator (facilitator). Depending on the case, candidates respond only to questions of the panelists or may address each other.
- the town meeting format called : the debate in the presence of an audience (which often can ask questions). Candidates are usually standing behind desks and they can be allowed to walk on stage.
- the round-table format: the candidates and the moderator are sitting around a table and speak directly to each other.
- candidates do not have enough time to respond substantively to questions;
- they do not always the same question, which prevents comparisons, or simply do not respond to questions;
- the panelists are too intrusive or, conversely, they do not enough;
- panelists misrepresent the concerns of the population;
- question-answer format is not conducive to genuine debate.
Political debates are they useful? Yes
meet throughout the research on the subject.
- The discussions raise the level of information policies and knowledge of voters.
- They increase interest in election campaigns and political life.
- They allow citizens to compare the candidates, their personalities and their projects, and provide useful elements for their vote.
- They make the policy more alive and more concrete, even dramatic (within the meaning of the word: surprises, surprises and captures the imagination)
- They facilitate the acceptance of election results and, more generally, strengthen the commitment to the principles of democracy.
However, research on policy debates suggest that they have very little impact on voting intentions, but rather tend to reinforce pre-existing provisions of the voters. It has often been noted that people who watched the televised political debates were citizens rather politicized, opinions already well established, while citizens who might be most susceptible to the influence of watching the debates generally very low. _________________
(1) Meeting of Rennes, April 23, 2002.
(2) The past presidents are reluctant to discuss with their opponent and also because of audiovisual regulation on equality between candidates.
(3) Reported also by Ariane Chemin and Géraldine Catalano in their work on Mitterrand a family secret (Stock, 2005)
To see or see again: The second round of debates from 1974 to 1995 on the DVD produced by INA .
NB: This post is a cover of various tickets already posted on this blog.