In the op-ed article, “Heavy price of defense spending cuts,” Mr. Hanson weakly argues that a policy promoting a reduction in government spending results in holistic outcomes for society. In doing so, Hanson commits two significant thinking shortcomings by presenting both a false dichotomy and false cause fallacy. This essay will analyze the thinking shortcomings and their impact on policy development as it pertains to government spending.
Hanson’s argument on the implication of budget cuts and reduced government spending is a false dichotomy. False dichotomies exist when an individual reduces a complex situation, or problem, into a simplistic, black and white situation. Hanson presents two strategic implications for a society: national prosperity or …show more content…
False cause fallacies are the result of improperly arguing “that because two events occurred together and one followed the other closely in time, then the first event caused the second event.” Hanson’s argument is predicated on the timing of the announced budget cuts as related to the conclusion of foreign travel by President Obama. Mr. Hanson specifically links the reduction in defense spending recommended by the President to “symbolic apologies for purported past American sins…” President Obama’s announcement of the budget cuts had no relation to his foreign travel, rather the strategic vision of the administration for future military structure and operations. The President’s vision in 2012 depicted a leaner, agile, and flexible force. Additionally, reduced spending on defense operations coincided with decreased military operations in foreign countries. The correlation by the author in this argument is a feeble attempt to link national foreign policy and relationship building to a reduced defense budget as a concession for
Hanson’s argument on the implication of budget cuts and reduced government spending is a false dichotomy. False dichotomies exist when an individual reduces a complex situation, or problem, into a simplistic, black and white situation. Hanson presents two strategic implications for a society: national prosperity or …show more content…
False cause fallacies are the result of improperly arguing “that because two events occurred together and one followed the other closely in time, then the first event caused the second event.” Hanson’s argument is predicated on the timing of the announced budget cuts as related to the conclusion of foreign travel by President Obama. Mr. Hanson specifically links the reduction in defense spending recommended by the President to “symbolic apologies for purported past American sins…” President Obama’s announcement of the budget cuts had no relation to his foreign travel, rather the strategic vision of the administration for future military structure and operations. The President’s vision in 2012 depicted a leaner, agile, and flexible force. Additionally, reduced spending on defense operations coincided with decreased military operations in foreign countries. The correlation by the author in this argument is a feeble attempt to link national foreign policy and relationship building to a reduced defense budget as a concession for