Essay Question
The following appeared in the editorial section of a local newspaper:
The inflow of immigrant workers into our community has put a downward pressure on wages. In fact, the average compensation of unskilled labor in our city has declined by nearly 10% over the past 5 years. Therefore, to protect our local economy, it is essential to impose a moratorium on further immigration.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
My answer:
The author's argument regarding the compensation of unskilled workers has some serious flaws. Even though the author desires to make a valid point, there are a few pointers which should be taken into consideration regarding the same. For example, the source of the statistics the author uses to prove their point and protection of the local economy and not thinking of the bigger picture.
I would like to question the author's source regarding the statistics on the basis of which they say that the compensation of unskilled labor has declined. In order to make a valid point, the author needs to get valid data from an official source. The author suggests that inflow of immigrant has put downward pressure on wages and the local economy has been suffering. I would like to point out that the more labor the country has, the more manufacturing opportunities rise. In fact, because the labor in our country is cheap, it leads to many foreign companies investing in our country. As the foreign investment comes in, the national economy increases and along with that, so does the local economy.
The author's suggestion regarding the moratorium on further immigration is of questionable nature. The immigrants are majorly from the remote villages and districts and they migrate to the city in the search of a job. The moratorium puts a ban on them regarding the same which would lead to unemployment in the country.
Therefore, there are some suggestion regarding the same. Instead of the moratorium, there should be a program regarding family planning which would lead to decrease in population and in turn, the number of unskilled workers will decrease. Also, the manufacturers should plan to construct their plants near remote villages and districts which would help the employment factor and decrease the number of immigrants in the city without having to put a ban on them.![]()
The following appeared in the editorial section of a local newspaper:
The inflow of immigrant workers into our community has put a downward pressure on wages. In fact, the average compensation of unskilled labor in our city has declined by nearly 10% over the past 5 years. Therefore, to protect our local economy, it is essential to impose a moratorium on further immigration.
Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument. Point out flaws in the argument's logic and analyze the argument's underlying assumptions. In addition, evaluate how supporting evidence is used and what evidence might counter the argument's conclusion. You may also discuss what additional evidence could be used to strengthen the argument or what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
My answer:
The author's argument regarding the compensation of unskilled workers has some serious flaws. Even though the author desires to make a valid point, there are a few pointers which should be taken into consideration regarding the same. For example, the source of the statistics the author uses to prove their point and protection of the local economy and not thinking of the bigger picture.
I would like to question the author's source regarding the statistics on the basis of which they say that the compensation of unskilled labor has declined. In order to make a valid point, the author needs to get valid data from an official source. The author suggests that inflow of immigrant has put downward pressure on wages and the local economy has been suffering. I would like to point out that the more labor the country has, the more manufacturing opportunities rise. In fact, because the labor in our country is cheap, it leads to many foreign companies investing in our country. As the foreign investment comes in, the national economy increases and along with that, so does the local economy.
The author's suggestion regarding the moratorium on further immigration is of questionable nature. The immigrants are majorly from the remote villages and districts and they migrate to the city in the search of a job. The moratorium puts a ban on them regarding the same which would lead to unemployment in the country.
Therefore, there are some suggestion regarding the same. Instead of the moratorium, there should be a program regarding family planning which would lead to decrease in population and in turn, the number of unskilled workers will decrease. Also, the manufacturers should plan to construct their plants near remote villages and districts which would help the employment factor and decrease the number of immigrants in the city without having to put a ban on them.