The ‘Argumentum a Crise’: So Powerful, So Prone to Misuse

This editorial examines the widespread use of argumentum a crise - a rhetorical device that frames policy proposals as lessons drawn from the global financial crisis (GFC). Commonly introduced with phrases like “The crisis has taught us,” this form of reasoning has permeated EU policymaking and beyond, often serving to justify regulatory changes with limited scrutiny. By analyzing official European Commission documents from 2008 to 2015, the authors highlight how references to the crisis have been applied across a broad range of sectors, sometimes in ways that are opportunistic, repetitive, or self-evident. The editorial cautions against the uncritical use of the argumentum a crise, noting its potential to shift the burden of proof and weaken the quality of policy debates. While not denying that real lessons have emerged from the crisis, the authors advocate for more disciplined and selective use of crisis-based reasoning in public discourse.