TOW 23 - Make Poverty History (Tim Worstall)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2014/03/30/make-poverty-history-why-i-buy-things-made-by-poor-people-in-poor-countries/

Many believe it is the goal of economics to rid this world of poverty. There have been theories on how to approach and achieve this altruistic goal; one of the most promising and controversial tactics would be the promotion and integration of impoverished countries into the economy. Tim Worstall uses jovial tone, litotes and syllogism to reason that the hesitance towards this globalization is hypocritical, contradicting the humanitarian policies and values previously established.

Through his almost homey diction, Worstall charms his audience with his text’s cheerful tone. It is unprecedented for an economics article proposing solutions to end poverty to use words like “lovely” or state “the most delicious part of this argument...” With a varied audience, from economic majors to high school students, the affable diction makes Worstall’s text more approachable and the readers are therefore more open to his viewpoint on a controversial subject.

Worstall uses shrewd understatements to undermine opposition’s view on the integration of poorer nations. If words were placed on a spectrum, Worstall would only use words on either of the extremes like “best,” or “worst.” For example, regarding Worstall’s rebuttal to the counterargument that globalization does not address the impoverished in wealthy nations, “the worst that anyone says [about the rise and fall of American wages] is that they have stagnated.” Worstall simplifies the issues and solutions to a simple judgment and claim of value, not only undermining the authority of opposition, but also implanting the idea that his proposal is a simple solution.

Worstall addresses the counterargument through a syllogistic approach and strengthens his argument through this rebuttal. He argues that if people accept that taxing the rich more than the poor is tolerable, and the impoverished in rich nations have a greater income than those in impoverished nations, then therefore it is illogical to criticize the globalization he proposes. This syllogism creates the illusion of a flawless argument, almost like a mathematical proof that is impossible to argue against.

Poverty is a complex issue to address, and there is never an easy answer to solving this problem; Worstall suggests that globalization is the simplest of the most complex answers. It will take time, but the integration of impoverished nations is the best bet to exterminating poverty.  

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/2/1/1359727149695/Poverty-in-Afghanistan-007.jpg

Goals:
Effective analysis, good transitions, appropriate evidence