Vidal and Kondracke on the Legalization of Drugs - Book Report/Review Example

Vidal and Kondracke on the Legalization of Drugs Legalization of drugs has become a heated debate in the society several decades ago yet remains anissue until now. Combating drug addiction has been a very critical issue in all levels of the government such that it is found to be linked with various criminal cases. Recognizing the need for social concern about this matter, Gore Vidal and Morton Kondracke wrote their opposing statements with regards to legalizing drugs in order to solve this major problem in the society.

Vidal states that the legalization of drugs would end the war, however, since even the government is making money out of its prohibition, the battle continues. In Kondracke's essay, on the other hand, he states that once the use of drugs is legalized, even at a high cost, would only increase mortality rate relative to drug abuse as well as government spending in dealing with the results of drug abuse. To facilitate their arguments, Vidal and Kondracke essays have varying treatments considering the treatment, language used and the facts presented.

Although both essays have been able to present various arguments to defend their stand on the issue, Vidal and Kondracke had different ways of portraying their claims. Vidal's introduction seemed more optimistic than that of Kondracke's. In his essay, Kondracke initially presented the appalling facts associated with drug abuse, yet he became more positive in providing alternatives in solving the issue at hand towards the end of the essay. Gore, on the other hand, did the opposite. Other options aside from legalizing drugs were not considered in Vidal's essay.

His focus was more on laying out his arguments as far as the advantages of legalizing drugs is concerned. The language used in each essay was also precisely different. While Kondracke used a more formal language, Vidal was inclined to a more informal one. The language Vidal used in his essay were made up of the most commonly used as well as the popular names of the drugs, situations, and people who are involved in the issue. Words such as Commies, groovie, Mafiosi, Dr. Spock and others were just a few that he used in his essay demonstrating informality.

Kondracke sticks to presenting the facts he gathered through his thorough research as well as the word structure he used in his essay. Unlike Vidal, he did not make use of other languages or name names of people or groups involved in this social dilemma. Kondracke used mainly the original terms used to identify the various popular drugs as well as the technical terms concerning the laws and prohibition of drugs. One major difference that the two essays may possess were the basis of arguments provided.

Based primarily on personal experience and philosophies, Vidal was not able to present more details in support to his claims. His arguments were based solely on his observation of the community as well as in the government. There were no factual evidences that were presented in his arguments, thus making the essay appear weak. The numbers and figures that Kondracke presented in his essay clearly demonstrate that he has enough proof to support his argument. In his essay, he had cited not only a single source to defend his claim.

Though both Vidal and Kondracke made an association of drug addiction to alcoholism, Vidal was not able to give as much weight to his association since he could not provide appropriate data that would support his beliefs. In contrast, Kondracke was able to show the trend in alcoholism before and after it has been prohibited, as well as its relationship to the legalization of drugs. The differences of the two essays are clearly defined through the treatment, language used and the presentation of facts or details in support of the argument of each.

Vidal's essay organization did not provide alternative to solving the problem, while Kondracke did. Aside from using factual information based on a thorough research, Kondracke also used a more formal language in presenting his arguments. Vidal, on one hand had the opposite. Considering these differences, Kondracke's arguments look stronger and more influential.References:Vidal, G. Drugs. The New York Times. 26 September 1970.Kodracke. M. Don't Legalize Drugs. ____.