A few of Lou Dobbs’ logical fallacies
In reading Lou Dobbs’ commentary entitled “We’re on a ‘fast-track’ to bad trade policy (April 4, 2007) I noticed several of the strategies and fallacies of ethos, logos, and pathos. First of all, he is a journalist and a graduate in economics from Harvard University, and so he has a gift with forming cohesive arguments. His style of writing, along with the national exposure he enjoys from being an anchor on CNN lend to his credibility. He has authored several books on the economic war the middle class faces as the nation grows within a global economy, and so he has become somewhat of an expert on the topic. While he makes many good points, his logic regularly falls prey to logical fallacies.
Thirty-one years of consecutive trade deficits and the loss — in just the last six years — of millions of manufacturing and good-paying middle-class jobs to outsourcing have been the result of what I consider this unconstitutional ceding of power to the executive branch in the form of fast-track authority.
This is an example from the article that shows at least three fallacies of logos. First of all is Mr. Dobbs’ Appeal to Ignorance. He highlights the fact that there is a trade deficit as if that in itself is proof that there is a problem, and I think most people would agree. Afterall, a deficit is a bad thing, right? In international economics, though, it’s not that simple. A deficit, even a semi-prolonged deficit of thirty-one years, is not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you consider the fact that in the case of a trade deficit we are receiving tangible, usable goods in exchange for our green-colored paper. Needless to say, most people do not understand the full ramifications of a trade deficit and automatically become alarmed at the mention of the term, especially if it spans thirty-one years! Mr. Dobbs is also stacking the deck by showing only one side of the jobs scenario—the export of American jobs. He makes no mention of the positive benefits that come from insourcing, and the increased standard of living we all enjoy from outsourcing. Lou Dobbs regularly omits any mention of the positives of international trade. Finally (and this kind of goes with both of the other two) is the fallacy of oversimplification. The US job market is not just a simple addition and subtraction problem of “manufacturing and good-paying middle-class jobs.†He does not consider the evolution of the national or world economy, the changing technology and knowledge behind industrialization, or the changing face of the workforce. It is a much more complex issue. At first blush, Mr. Dobbs’ commentary seems very appealing and understandable, but when you consider the fallacies within his argument, it begins to quickly break down.
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May 11th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I tend to agree with Barney Frank, Lou Dobbs is incredibly influential. He’s giving voice to millions of Americans’ concerns about globalization and free trade,
May 11th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
He may be influential but that doesn’t mean what he says is right.