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Analysis of an Argument by Activist Ralph Nader

This paper is a critical analysis of Ralph Nader's article, "Nader's Nineties: How to Put the Punch Back in Politics," following the structure of M. Neil Browne and Stuart M. Keeley's book, Asking the Right Questions. Nader, one of the best know activists in America, is critical of the ability of consumer advocates to keep pace with the corporate capitalists they are fighting against. His article proposes a prescriptive remedy for what he sees as a dire political vacuum. This paper considers whether or not he has made a solid case for his argument and proposed workable solutions. Although Nader is a powerful, passionate force himself, his logic is not always sound nor his conclusions always complete. This paper examines the weaknesses of his writing and suggests ways in which he could build a better case.

Nader's article was originally written by the radical magazine, Mother Jones, whose readership consists largely of like-minded individuals sharing his passion, if not his willingness to work. He therefore begins by assuming that his readers share his indignation with the way the world has become, a nation of consumers subservient to corporate power. The issue, that such a system is bad, is prescriptive, and the conclusion he wishes his readers to reach is that this system should be combated using the most sophisticated tools at hand, rather than "the political equivalent of picks and hoes" (Nader, 1996, p. 1).

He offers a number of reasons in support of his argument. He argues that increasingly poor voter turnout has left citizens with "virtually no say in how tax revenues are spent, wasted, or given away" (Nader, 1996, p. 3) and given politicians little reason to listen to the few who do bother to vote. He contends that individuals have little say in most of the major decisions that dictate the shape of their lives because they do not have access the same powerful avenues of influence available to multi-national co...

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Analysis of an Argument by Activist Ralph Nader. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 11:42, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1691532.html