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.
YOUR RESPONSE:
The argument states that due to the inflow of immigrant workers, the average compensation of unskilled labour has declined ,due to which it is important to put a hold on further immigration.However I believe the premise on which the above argument is based is a flawed one.Primary reason being that immigration has no connection with declining wages and also labour.
Also, the author's concluding statement that imposing a moratorium will protect the local economy is a flawed one as there are many other ways to protect the economy .Instead of imposing a moratorium, one can divide the work given to local unskilled labour and immigrant workers which could also be of a different nature and can be identified, right at the time of migration.Another factor to check here is whether the immigrant workers are legal migrants or not thereby taking away jobs from the locals.
All in all,the conclusion is flawed and the argument could have been better explained in terms of the effect of the immigrant workers on the economy on the whole and not only with respect to wages.
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.
YOUR RESPONSE:
The argument states that due to the inflow of immigrant workers, the average compensation of unskilled labour has declined ,due to which it is important to put a hold on further immigration.However I believe the premise on which the above argument is based is a flawed one.Primary reason being that immigration has no connection with declining wages and also labour.
Also, the author's concluding statement that imposing a moratorium will protect the local economy is a flawed one as there are many other ways to protect the economy .Instead of imposing a moratorium, one can divide the work given to local unskilled labour and immigrant workers which could also be of a different nature and can be identified, right at the time of migration.Another factor to check here is whether the immigrant workers are legal migrants or not thereby taking away jobs from the locals.
All in all,the conclusion is flawed and the argument could have been better explained in terms of the effect of the immigrant workers on the economy on the whole and not only with respect to wages.
