Exam 11: How Are Propositions of Policy Argued

"Solvency" refers to the ability of a proposed policy to overcome a disparity.

If the opponent in policy argumentation offers a minor repair, it must meet the same standards of proof and reasoning as the advocate's policy proposal.

As an opponent, you might use the technique of offering a counterproposal when all those involved in argumentation agree that a problem exists and must be solved, but disagree over the best solution.

One strategy available to the opponent in an argument over a change in policy is to perform a "worst case" analysis and look for harmful consequences, or disadvantages, to the proposed plan of action.

Assume that the advocate's proposal for change relative to the problem described in the example above is: I. All teachers with five years or less seniority and all teachers seeking employment in the public school system will be required to pass a basic competency examination in academic subjects and basic skills. II. The Department of Education with the approval and assistance of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers will design and administer competency tests. III. A reasonable fee, not to exceed the cost of designing, administering, and processing the test, will be charged to each applicant for certification. IV. Those teachers presently in the school system with less than five years seniority must pass the test or face revocation of their teaching licenses. New teachers will not receive teaching licenses until they have passed the test. -In the example above, the mechanism is found in which part of the proposal?

One type of argument which can be made against a proposal for change is referred to as a "disadvantage" argument. Which of the following things is NOT true of a disadvantage argument?

Assume that the advocate's proposal for a policy in response to the problem of the high costs of college text books offers the following proposal for a textbook rental system. I. Students will be charged a rental fee of 30% of the wholesale price for each rented textbook. II. Faculty will be required to select textbooks for a three-year academic calendar before requesting new books or a change in textbooks. An earlier change in textbooks must be approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. III. Beginning in Fall 2012, students may rent textbooks with an option to buy at the end of the semester. IV. The Campus Bookstore will be responsible for providing textbooks and managing the rental system. Textbook rentals will be available only from the Campus Bookstore. -In the proposed policy example, the financing is found in?

As an opponent for a policy proposition, which of the following questions should you NOT ask yourself in establishing your strategy of opposition?

In arguing the "reason for change" in a policy proposition, the advocate must offer argumentation concerning extent, harm, and inherency.

In policy argumentation, the advocate's policy proposal may be used as an operational definition of the terms in the proposition.

The pattern of organization for policy argumentation begins by examining what society values and offering a policy change that will better achieve that objective.

In a circumvention argument, the opponent of a policy proposition argues

In policy argumentation, part of the advocate's burden of proof is to present the details which explain exactly how the policy change is to occur.

Assume that the advocate has offered the following arguments on behalf of the proposition: The Federal Government should impose minimum standards for teacher certification. I. Teachers are poorly prepared in academic subjects. II. Of students graduating with education degrees in the past five years, over 40% cannot pass eighth grade equivalency tests in spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and basic mathematical skills. III. Poorly prepared teachers produce poorly taught students. IV. Teacher licensing standards in most state demand too much time spent in "education" courses and not enough time spent in academic subject matter and basic skills. -Which argument in the example is an inherency argument?

In arguing that there is a reason for change in policy, which of the following is NOT part of the advocate's burden of proof?

In policy argumentation, a "disparity" is a proposal for some behavioral change.

In preparing to advocate your policy proposition, you have discovered that there is almost universal agreement that a reason for policy change exists. The controversy is over what the best course of action should be. You will structure your case as a "comparative advantages" development of arguments. What should appear first in your case development?

The advocate has the option of suggesting "minor repairs" that would satisfy the reason for change without making the change stated in the proposition.

A counterproposal must be non-topical and preclude the adoption of the advocate's proposal as well.

Outside of academic debate competitions, the only place we find argumentation taking place is in state and federal legislative bodies.