Mutual exclusivity

Mutual exclusivity is one of two methods to establish competition. It describes a situation where a counterplan is fundamentally incompatible with the affirmative plan; it is literally impossible to enact both the Affirmative and Negative plans simultaneously. Counterplans which do the opposite of the plan are the most common type of mutually-exclusive counterplan.

Mutual exclusivity deals only with structural differences in the plan and counterplan, and does not address the post fiat implications these differences. It is commonly confused with competition, which refers to a broader set of conditions which may incorporate net benefits as well as mutual exclusivity.