Bandwagon

From RationalWiki

In the course of evaluating arguments, a "bandwagon" argument says that because "everyone is doing it (or thinking it or saying it), you also should".^[1] The logical argument here is:

Everyone (the majority) is doing it.

The majority is always right.

If I do it, I will be in the majority, therefore right.

Unfortunately, the premise "the majority is right" may not be true.

Another example: "An article by CBS News begins with the observation that, 'Americans do not believe that humans evolved, and the vast majority says that even if they evolved, God guided the process. Just 13 percent say that God was not involved.' ^[2]" ^[3] Implied in this "encyclopedic" article is that the person reading the article must believe in the Christian God's role in creationism because a lot of people do.

This type of argument is closely related to testimonial, except a testimonial relies on one person's belief or experience whereas the bandwagon relies on the beliefs of a lot of people.

Jumping on the bandwagon is the seizing of current events or taking on board of recent popular opinion, by politicians or political parties in order to attract popular support.

In the UK the tabloid press (red tops) are sometimes accused of 'rabble rousing' (eg paedophilia hysteria) - leading to much public debate and political posturing. Politicians are forced to take a position on such events - the opposition, of whatever party, 'jumping on the bandwagon' by condemning the Government's record and their legislative plans.

There are many examples of bandwagon jumping. A recent (July 07) event being the flooding caused by heavy rain in SW England. The opposition parties made great capital of the state of flood defences,the preparedness and financing of the emergency services and building of homes and businesses on flood plains.

It should be noted that it is not necessary for the facts to get in the way of a good argument, the bandwagon has its own momentum and will carry its passengers whether true or not.

Sometimes, when events are due to external causes, both political sides will jump onto the same bandwagon and each will accuse the other of doing so (eg Terrorism).