Reich and title of his chapter

In his groundbreaking and well-reasoned book, “The Three Jobs of the Future,” Robert Reich outlines the actual challenges that the United States and its economy confront in the twenty-first century. In his book, Reich discusses contemporary trends in globalization of labor, capital, and information as well as the outsourcing of labor that has resulted, the international structuring of information over the internet, and the rapid development of emerging economies. Reich discusses the three different classifications of future jobs which he refers to as: routine production services, in-person services, and symbolic-analytic services, while explaining what they entail. (Reich 174). According to this author, the job groupings which represent the United States’ competitive situation within global economy so as to analyze and understand the divergent economic future of Americans within the emerging modern global economy.

What is Reich’s main claim—stated in your own words? What reasons does he give to support this claim?

Reich separates all the types of work in the economy into three categories, “routine production”, ”services in-person services”, and ”symbolic-analytic services” and goes on to predict will happen these job categories. (Reich 174). His assessment of the future, as far as the American economy as currently structured is concerned, is very dire. The author predicts that because of advancement in technology, lower labor costs in developing nations and the shift in the international economy towards outsourcing, the first two categories of jobs as well as their corresponding average pay will decline while the third category will increase. He explains that these effects on American jobs will be brought about by labor-saving machines, personal computers, the internet and online e-commerce as well as the prevailing trend of globalization of the economy which has seen the growth of new formidable economies in Asia and other developing nations.

Who is Reich’s Audience?

Reich fundamentally discusses the overall emerging international economy in the detailed appraisal of the current international economic structure with insight on present and future economic issues. He however focuses his analysis on the American perspective. As such his audiences are the wider global community, but his direct audience is the United States as well as its policy makers, political leaders, administrators, the working classes responses business organizations. With this author’s focus on America, it seems that his primary intended audience is the American society in general. Nonetheless he particularly also appears not only to have the working classes and public leaders as an audience but also the nation’s thinkers. This is because he makes his presentation in an experienced and analytical approach on the economic policies of the United States administration while challenging the existing conventional economic understanding and providing insightful conclusions.

What does Reich want the audience to do or feel as a result of reading this chapter (for example: change their minds/opinions, vote in a certain way, broaden their understanding of a subject, give money to a cause, take some other action?) Explain.

As Reich explains, he considers the current trend not predetermined to go on forever and consequently suggests that America is the best positioned to take advantage of the growth of the job category of the symbolic analyst. Reich wants his audience to reconsider and reevaluate what they consider to be the best economic model for America. His intention is for public leaders, policy makers as well as the general working classes to change their perception and attitudes towards the present categorization in the job market. In addition to this, the author wants his audience to reorganize education and the economy so that it can be of benefit to everyone. Reich wants America come up with pragmatic solutions which are aimed at addressing the challenging economic issues that the country currently faces.

Explain the rhetorical situation/context/larger discussion of Reich’s topic: the diversity and changing nature of the global labor market and its influence on the American work place. What are the key concerns regarding this issue? Use the other chapters you have read in class to help you understand the context of this topic as you explain each of the other authors’ claims, the supporting ideas they use to develop their arguments, and how their arguments relate to Reich’s arguments.

According to Reich, the whole world is undergoing a transformation which is continuing to rearrange both the politics and the economics of the future. Robert Reich implies that as we move towards a global economy without the traditional borders, the concept of a nation’s technologies, products or a nation’s corporations are becoming progressively more insignificant. The one aspect he considers will continue to be entrenched within national borders is a nation’s people. This shift, in the authors view, has massive political and economic implications and this means that the traditional notion of national cohesion and goal is no longer definable in entirely economic terms. It also means that the result is fragmentation, which Reich contend, will lead to citizens who are in the best positioned to succeed within the global market tending to break away from the connection of national loyalty.

Identify at least two (2) rhetorical techniques/strategies/appeals Reich uses to persuade his intended audience. Provide examples from his chapter and explain why he uses these strategies. Does he more heavily rely on one type of technique over others? Why does he do this?

In persuading his intended audience, Robert Reich uses Imagery in his chapter to provide very visual details in his work while explaining situations in a figurative language intended to evoke strong feelings and reactions to the economic concepts that he is presenting. He calls to mind very vivid ideas about impending or ongoing economic battle of sorts between countries. One which can only be won by the most versatile of contenders. He manages to paint a very adversarial picture as far as the American economy relative to the global economic structure is concerned. or describe an object. An example of imagery is his statement: ”The battle lines of the competitive global economy no longer correspond with national borders”. (Reich 171). Reich also uses analogy to compare and bring out the contrast between two different elements share similar characteristics. ”Americans whose contributions to the global economy are highly valued will succeed, while others’ contributions will not… we are not doing this together as a nation, we are increasingly in ’smaller boats’ that compete against others”. (Reich 172). He uses this technique to bring out the emphasis in the point he is creating. He however uses these rhetorical techniques sparingly but in equal measure.

How have your views changed as a result of reading these chapters? Explain

Reading the chapters has immediately awakened my thoughts concerning the global as well as national economic models and their influence on the everyday life of the ordinary citizen. It has made me want to review what I understand about the role of education, policy and shifting economic paradigms in the evolving job market. It has essentially made me realize that it is all relates to the problem-solving and strategic orientation will become more and more important as the economic changes in the job market predicted by Reich eventually takes root. The way I position myself in terms of knowledge and skills will significantly determine my place in the job market.

Which argument(s) most influenced your views? Explain

The argument that influenced my view most is about the impact of information, technology and globalization on the job market including acquisition and practice of skills for economic gains. Reich argues that these elements will lead to some jobs to decline and disappear all together while other job categories will emerge and become dominant in the new global economic order. In my view, this is a very accurate appraisal global economic interaction. Historically change in production techniques and information use has always affected the job market. The advent of machines and scientific production methods, for example has over the centuries led to new jobs, such as equipment operators with the inherent need for the acquiring of new skills and realignments. Conversely, the advent of production machinery also rendered the jobs which were once done differently to change. For instance, we no longer have horse carriage builders, we have some of the most advanced car manufacturing industries with its complex job categories and requirements as well as having had a major impact on global economic dynamics.

Work Cited

Reich, Robert B. The Work of Nations: Preparing Ourselves for 21st Century Capitalism. Vintage Books, 1992.