Q. The following appeared in the editorial section of a local newspaper:
“In the first four years that Montoya has served as mayor of the city of San Perdito, the population has decreased and the unemployment rate has increased. Two businesses have closed for each new business that has opened. Under Varro, who served as mayor for four years before Montoya, the unemployment rate decreased and the population increased. Clearly, the residents of San Perdito would be best served if they voted Montoya out of office and re-elected Varro.”
Discuss how well reasoned the above argument is. You will have to consider the assumptions that underlie the writer’s thinking. Describe alternative explanations or counterexamples that might weaken his or her conclusion. You must come up with evidence that would strengthen or refute the argument or identify what changes would make the argument more logically sound.
ANSWER:
The argument states that in the first four years that Montoya has served as mayor of the city of San Perdito, the population has decreased and the unemployment rate has increased. Two businesses have closed for each new business that has opened. On other hand, under Varro, who served as mayor for four years before Montoya, the unemployment rate decreased as well as the population increased. Therefore, the city’s economy would be stable if they voted Montoya out and re-elected Varro.
Firstly, I agree with this argument in general. The first four years of the city of San Perdito have caused great difficulty for the residents of San Perdito. The unemployment rate has increased and the population has decreased. Thus, more people are jobless and cannot afford to pay taxes and daily family expenses. This is will eventually create depression among the individuals. The effects of population decline include, fewer schools and new homes will be built, fewer sports and care facilities will be available, and fewer people would go to theatre, cinema or concerts so these facilities will be cut back and there will be a lesser turnover for shopkeepers and businesses. Local residents would have to travel further to reach the facilities they want and fewer people would travel by public transport which is costlier to run.
Secondly, two businesses have closed for each new business that has opened. This shows that businesses are facing severe losses and are towards bankruptcy. They cannot operate effectively and efficiently as well as are unable to meet the needs of the consumers which have caused them to be unsuccessful. Furthermore, new businesses are unable to function properly as they cannot fulfill the requirements of the customers. All of these factors have created adverse and detrimental effects on the city’s economy, politics and well-being. If they are not implemented or evaluated then the city is likely to be in great crisis. Thus, re-electing Varro will be the best option for the citizens of San Perdito as things will be better settled and operated if he is voted as mayor of San Perdito.
In conclusion, it would be better to elect Varro as mayor of San Perdito since when he served the residents of San Perdito the unemployment rate decreased as well as the population increased. If he is re-elected as mayor, the city would be more advanced technologically, greater jobs would be available, more facilities would be provided and the city would be more stable and balanced. In addition, there will be fewer problems for the residents of San Perdito. The city’s economy, employment rate, international trade, foreign exchange and well-being would be easily maintained.