Judges should start offering punitive awards in breachof-contract cases. Punitive damages are awarded for the sole purpose of deterring the defendant and others from doing the same act again. Our courtrooms are flooded with enough cases. Businesses know that they can get away with breaching their contracts. If we start imposing punitive damages, however, these businesses will alter their behavior. This change would specifically affect those businesses that make it a practice to breach a contract whenever necessary. People are losing faith in the security of a contract. A survey of 100 first-year business students suggested that contracts are little respected and rarely followed in business.

1. What is the conclusion offered in this argument, and the reasons supporting the conclusion?

2. The author cites a survey of 100 first-year business students who suggested that contracts are “little respected and rarely followed in business.” Do you see any problems with this evidence?

3. What additional information do you need to evaluate this argument?

4. What arguments could you make that are the opposite of those made by the author of this essay?