Class Wars of 2012, Essay Example

This week I read an article titled Class Wars of 2012 which was published November 29, 2012and written by New York Times columnist, Paul Krugman.  Krugman is highly influential economist, professor and scholar. He has written 20 books and over 200 scholarly articles and the 20^th most cited economist in America. Krugman is also a self-identified liberal and consequently his fiscal policies conflict with those of the Republican Party in this article.

The article’s main topic of concern is the fiscal cliff, the deficit, and taxation. Krugmansets the scene graphically by describing an airport full of private jets whose owners had congregated for Romney’s victory party, albeit prematurely. He states that the American voters of differing demographics re-elected Obama because there was a clear ideological choice between the Republicans and the Democrats. The Republicans planned to let the rich and powerful pay increasingly less tax and therefore increase the burden of the middle and lower classes, whereas the Democrats plan to raise taxes on the top tier of earners to reduce the fiscal deficit.

Krugman makes a convincing and succinct argument based on logic and surrounding factual information. His argument in Standard Form is as follows:

• Major premise: If the Republican Party does not compromise and raise taxes on the wealthy, then society and social programs will suffer dramatically
• Minor premise: The Republican Party refuses to raise taxes and will always aid the top 1% in the control and preservation of their wealth.
• Conclusion: Therefore, society and social programs will suffer.

His conclusion is straightforward; don’t let them off the hook. His argument is succinct and logical. He does not rely heavily on emotional language but sticks largely to factual information