Cause–Effect Pairing: I) The United States is contemplating stricter immigration laws. II) The unemployment rate in the United States has been rising steadily for many years.
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AIf statement I is the cause and statement II is its effect
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BIf statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect
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CIf both the statements I and II are independent causes.
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DIf both the statements I and II are effects of independent causes.
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ENone of these
Answer
Correct Answer: If statement II is the cause and statement I is its effect
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Policy proposals often respond to labor-market conditions. The problem asks whether rising unemployment plausibly drives contemplation of stricter immigration rules.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- II) Unemployment has been rising steadily in recent years.
- I) Policymakers consider tightening immigration law.
- Public debates frequently link labor slack to calls for protective labor and immigration policies.
Concept / Approach:We evaluate whether II provides a political-economic rationale for I. In many contexts, higher unemployment increases pressure to prioritize domestic employment opportunities, motivating stricter immigration stances.
Step-by-Step Solution:1) Identify driver: elevated joblessness → political demand for labor protection.2) Identify response: contemplate stricter immigration to reduce perceived competition for jobs.3) Conclude II → I.
Verification / Alternative check:Past cycles show immigration discourse intensifies during labor downturns, supporting II as cause.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:(a) reverses causality; (c)/(d) ignore a consistent historical linkage; “None” is not applicable.
Common Pitfalls:Confusing contemplation of policy (proposal stage) with actual outcomes; the causal direction remains from unemployment trends to policy consideration.
Final Answer:Statement II is the cause; Statement I is its effect.