Question

Identify each of the following statements as either positive or normative: *please explain why

E. Signing the Free Trade of the Americas agreement will lower prices and increase access to a wide variety of goods and services for US consumers.

F. Signing the Free Trade of Americas agreement will result in major US corporations moving their manufacturing facilities to poor Latin American countries where wages are lower and environmental regulations are less stringent.

G. The US should sign the free trade of the Americas agreement because it will be good for the environment.

H. The US should NOT sign the Free trade of the Americas agreement because it will be bad for the environment.

I. Charging a fee to drivers in New York City streets will reduce traffic congestion.

J. New York City should charge a fee to drivers fro access to drive on downtown streets.

Answer 1

Positive statements are objective and fact based, while normative statements are

subjective and value based. Positive statements can be proved or disproved.

Normative statements are opinion-based and cannot be proved or disproved

E. Signing the Free Trade of the Americas agreement will lower prices and increase access to a wide variety of goods and services for US consumers.

Positive, because this statement can be tested.

F. Signing the Free Trade of Americas agreement will result in major US corporations moving their manufacturing facilities to poor Latin American countries where wages are lower and environmental regulations are less stringent.

Positive, since this statement can be proved or disproved.

G. The US should sign the free trade of the Americas agreement because it will be good for the environment.

Normative. It is opinion-based and cannot be tested.

H. The US should NOT sign the Free trade of the Americas agreement because it will be bad for the environment.

Normative. It is opinion-based and cannot be tested.

1. Charging a fee to drivers in New York City streets will reduce traffic congestion.

Positive, since it can be tested.

J. New York City should charge a fee to drivers for access to drive on downtown streets.

Normative statement. It is based on opinion.