In spite of its having been outlawed everywhere, ‘available evidence suggests there are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in human history’

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The statement in question discusses the status of modern slavery despite its illegality everywhere, and asserts that available evidence suggests there are more slaves today than at any other time in human history.
Option 1: True. Proponents of this view point to research by organizations like the International Labour Organization and advocacy groups that estimate tens of millions of people in modern slavery conditions worldwide. They argue that definitions of modern slavery (which can include forced labor, debt bondage, forced marriage, human trafficking, and forced child labor) cover a broad set of exploitative situations, and that these conditions persist across industries and regions. Supporters often cite methodological approaches that attempt to quantify the invisible ends of exploitation, such as survivors’ testimonies, NGO casework, and national surveys, while acknowledging that measurement is complex and prone to undercounting due to hidden populations and inconsistent reporting.
Option 2: False. Critics of the claim contend that estimates vary widely and depend heavily on definitions and methodologies, which can lead to over- or underestimation. They emphasize that some numbers amalgamate distinct phenomena or rely on extrapolations from limited data, making cross-country comparisons difficult. Others argue that improvements in policing, legal frameworks, and globalization of supply chains may reduce certain forms of exploitation in some contexts, challenging the blanket assertion that today has the most slaves ever. Additionally, some scholars caution against equating all forms of coercive labor with slavery, noting definitional debates and the evolving understanding of coercion, consent, and exploitation across cultures and time periods.
Overall, the core of the debate rests on how broadly modern slavery is defined and how data are collected, reported, and interpreted. This means the statement can be persuasive in policy and advocacy contexts while remaining contested in academic and methodological discussions.

BUSS5220 4.6 Test Your Knowledge

In spite of its having been outlawed everywhere, ‘available evidence suggests there are more slaves in the world today than at any other time in human history’

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