Steamboat Institute Campus Liberty Tour Comes to VMI
Virginia Military Institute’s Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) will host a Steamboat Institute (SI) Campus Liberty Tour Debate, Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. in Gillis Theater, Marshall Hall.
Since 2018, SI has brought compelling debates on consequential topics of the day to college campuses, engaging politically diverse audiences of students, faculty, and community members. “Our focus is on teaching students—and all who attend—how to think, not what to think,” said Daniel Wagner, Campus Liberty Tour coordinator for SI.
The debate resolution for this particular event is, “Be it resolved: America benefits from the end of the rules-based international order.” Arguing the affirmative will be retired U.S. Army Col. Douglas Macgregor, Ph.D., a decorated combat veteran and author of five books. Arguing the negative will be Hal Brands, Ph.D., columnist, author, and the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Carine Hajjar, opinion journalist and editorial board member of The Washington Post and a SI fellow, will moderate the debate.
The rules-based international order emerged after World War II and includes institutions and agreements such as the United Nations, NATO, and the World Trade Organization. Supporters argue these structures promote stability and cooperation. Critics contend they can limit American sovereignty and economic competitiveness. Participants will weigh in with a pre-debate poll, hear arguments from both sides, then vote in a post-debate poll to determine if the debate changed their views.
Col. David R. Gray, executive director of the CLE, stated, “The CLE is proud to host this debate as part of our 2026-27 programming. Our theme this year is ‘American Spirit 2026’ in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. This debate is an excellent example of freedom of speech within the framework of civil discourse. The topic is timely, given our country’s depth of involvement in global affairs.” Since 2021, the CLE has incorporated a civil discourse/debate emphasis into its programming.
SI is dedicated to defending freedom and advocating for liberty, and in the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, believes it is better to be “exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.” SI provides tools, information, and inspiration to those who hold the founding principles of the nation dear.
The debate is free and open to the public with an informal reception following. Registration is required to attend via the event website. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be livestreamed. For more information contact Lt. Col. Kim Connolly at connollykv@vmi.edu.
