15Counterplans and PIKs: Compete and Answer

CP parts: text, solvency, net benefit, competition. PIKs: allow parts of plan but reject the rest.

  • Types: PICs, process, delay, consult. Competition tests: perm do both/sequence.
  • Answers: perm; no net benefit; solvency deficit; theory if abusive.
  • PIKs answers: perm do both; no ideological link; PIKs destroy policy education.

When to read a CP

  • When you can capture 80–90% of Aff solvency with a cleaner risk profile (clear net benefit).
  • Process/delay/consult CPs only if judge is receptive; otherwise prefer PICs or simple text CPs.

PIC text + net benefit (copy/paste)

Plan-Inclusive Counterplan: Do the plan but exclude [the controversial mechanism] and instead implement [safer mechanism].
Solvency: Empirical evidence shows [safer mechanism] achieves the core benefits.
Net benefit: Avoids [rights violation/DA link] uniquely triggered by the plan's mechanism.
Competition: Perm doesn't solve the net benefit because including the mechanism reintroduces the link.