Shalers And Addiction
“Addiction in Free In Free Markets” is an academic essay written by Bruce K, Alexander and Stefa Shaler. The University of Toronto Press published their essay in 1990 for an audience of researchers and academics interested in why addictions exist. The purpose of this essay was to raise connections between free markets and addiction. Alexander and Shaler make their case with compelling historic examples, but could use more detail to strengthen their argument.
The central idea of “Addiction in Free markets” is how addictions grow in free markets. When the system of a free market is born, faces a downturn, or evolves; people from all class’s sometimes lost jobs, change ideologies, and loss stability. When this vast change occurs in their life …show more content…
they tend to try to create a “substitute” life, which can foster an addition for a short-term satisfaction. The rise of addiction can be seen through the history of the rise of free markets. An example included the industrial revolution in England. This new industrial started a new urban society in England dislocated members who could not keep up with the new system. This displaced these people across British Iles and Colonies. During this time of change, a rise in alcoholism increased proportionally to the increase of immigration. This change in England also affected the lives of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The migration of people from Europe to Canada distanced the Native peoples from their cultures. This dislocated them from their heritage and society, which open them to addiction. This addiction was mainly to alcohol, in which Aboriginal peoples used to “substitute” their lost life from the creation of a new society hey were not accustomed to. From these historical examples, we can see the root cause of addiction is political and spiritual, and without suitable policies, the popularity of addition will only increase. To reduce addiction people must see the connection between addictions and free markets, and must begin to create more inclusive and healthier societies.
The organization of the composition “Addiction in Free Markets” has an essay structure for problem and solution, as well as cause and effect.
This essay uses historical events such as the industrial revolution and looks what it caused to the society at the time and its effect on the rate of addiction. The authors explain, “England moved to a full-blown free market society between the late 16th and 19th century”(6), and “alcoholism gradually spread with the beginnings of the free markets after 1500 and eventually became a raging epidemic with… free market society”(8) to draw a connection between addiction and free markets. Another example the Authors use is the destruction of Aboriginal cultures and their implications for addiction. In regards to problem and solution organization style, the Authors state the solution towards decreasing addiction is to establish healthier societies where all members will benefit and to address the problems free markets create. In their conclusions, they illustrate this,” [all] participants in a sacred trust to nature, protect and promote delicate bonds with every aspect of the biosphere and the invisible forces of spirit and humanitarianism”(16). Further, analyzing the context and the writer’s credibility help explain how the Authors made this connection. Bruce K. Alexander is a professor of psychology and is also a research associate at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. It is also noted that Alexander has studied globalization and addiction, main ideas in the essay. The second author is Stefa Shaler, who provides context for their argument. It is noted that has worked in Brazil Slums and in Social Services in British Columbia, proving she has experience working with people with addictions. Also, the essay was published in 1990 giving context to what the state the world was at. During the 1990 many world economies took a downturn creating a difficult time for many members of free markets. Focusing on Brazil, the economy
in Brazil collapsed in 1990’s and resulted in hyperinflation. This forced the country into reform, restricting the free market in Brazil. These events must have affected the ideas of Shaler for this essay since Shaler worked in Brazil assuming in the late 1980s. Furthermore, looking at the United States increase in the War on Drugs in the late 1980’s may have motivated the Authors to write this essay.
In evaluating this essay, there are problems with the examples they used in supporting their argument and no listed references in this version. Referring to the Henderson book titled “Becoming an Active Essay” it states policy claims benefit from factual support and data. “Addiction in Free In Free Markets” essay is trying to argue to create new policies to limit or reduce free markets to help decrease addictions. However, this essay lacks any sound data or even hard facts to support its claim. As an example, the essay explains the increase of addiction to alcohol after the 1500’s, however, fails to refer a source or gives any data to back up that claim. Even more, with no references added to this version of the essay readers have even less confidence in the authors argument. Without references, it is harder for me not to believe Shaler was heavily influenced by the crisis and immense reform in Brazil while working in the slums. There are no credible sources to prove otherwise with no listed references for this academic essay.
The purpose of this essay was to prove a connection between free markets and addictions. The authors proposed ambitious policies must be created to maintain a healthy and inclusive society where members are not excluded and open to addictions. However, without factual support and known references Alexander’s and Shaler’s argument is weakened.
The central idea of “Addiction in Free markets” is how addictions grow in free markets. When the system of a free market is born, faces a downturn, or evolves; people from all class’s sometimes lost jobs, change ideologies, and loss stability. When this vast change occurs in their life …show more content…
they tend to try to create a “substitute” life, which can foster an addition for a short-term satisfaction. The rise of addiction can be seen through the history of the rise of free markets. An example included the industrial revolution in England. This new industrial started a new urban society in England dislocated members who could not keep up with the new system. This displaced these people across British Iles and Colonies. During this time of change, a rise in alcoholism increased proportionally to the increase of immigration. This change in England also affected the lives of Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The migration of people from Europe to Canada distanced the Native peoples from their cultures. This dislocated them from their heritage and society, which open them to addiction. This addiction was mainly to alcohol, in which Aboriginal peoples used to “substitute” their lost life from the creation of a new society hey were not accustomed to. From these historical examples, we can see the root cause of addiction is political and spiritual, and without suitable policies, the popularity of addition will only increase. To reduce addiction people must see the connection between addictions and free markets, and must begin to create more inclusive and healthier societies.
The organization of the composition “Addiction in Free Markets” has an essay structure for problem and solution, as well as cause and effect.
This essay uses historical events such as the industrial revolution and looks what it caused to the society at the time and its effect on the rate of addiction. The authors explain, “England moved to a full-blown free market society between the late 16th and 19th century”(6), and “alcoholism gradually spread with the beginnings of the free markets after 1500 and eventually became a raging epidemic with… free market society”(8) to draw a connection between addiction and free markets. Another example the Authors use is the destruction of Aboriginal cultures and their implications for addiction. In regards to problem and solution organization style, the Authors state the solution towards decreasing addiction is to establish healthier societies where all members will benefit and to address the problems free markets create. In their conclusions, they illustrate this,” [all] participants in a sacred trust to nature, protect and promote delicate bonds with every aspect of the biosphere and the invisible forces of spirit and humanitarianism”(16). Further, analyzing the context and the writer’s credibility help explain how the Authors made this connection. Bruce K. Alexander is a professor of psychology and is also a research associate at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. It is also noted that Alexander has studied globalization and addiction, main ideas in the essay. The second author is Stefa Shaler, who provides context for their argument. It is noted that has worked in Brazil Slums and in Social Services in British Columbia, proving she has experience working with people with addictions. Also, the essay was published in 1990 giving context to what the state the world was at. During the 1990 many world economies took a downturn creating a difficult time for many members of free markets. Focusing on Brazil, the economy
in Brazil collapsed in 1990’s and resulted in hyperinflation. This forced the country into reform, restricting the free market in Brazil. These events must have affected the ideas of Shaler for this essay since Shaler worked in Brazil assuming in the late 1980s. Furthermore, looking at the United States increase in the War on Drugs in the late 1980’s may have motivated the Authors to write this essay.
In evaluating this essay, there are problems with the examples they used in supporting their argument and no listed references in this version. Referring to the Henderson book titled “Becoming an Active Essay” it states policy claims benefit from factual support and data. “Addiction in Free In Free Markets” essay is trying to argue to create new policies to limit or reduce free markets to help decrease addictions. However, this essay lacks any sound data or even hard facts to support its claim. As an example, the essay explains the increase of addiction to alcohol after the 1500’s, however, fails to refer a source or gives any data to back up that claim. Even more, with no references added to this version of the essay readers have even less confidence in the authors argument. Without references, it is harder for me not to believe Shaler was heavily influenced by the crisis and immense reform in Brazil while working in the slums. There are no credible sources to prove otherwise with no listed references for this academic essay.
The purpose of this essay was to prove a connection between free markets and addictions. The authors proposed ambitious policies must be created to maintain a healthy and inclusive society where members are not excluded and open to addictions. However, without factual support and known references Alexander’s and Shaler’s argument is weakened.