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- Sat Jul 01, 2017 8:35 am
#36674
Complete Question Explanation
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus begins with a common argumentative technique where the author states the viewpoint
of a group that he or she will ultimately argue against. This is seen frequently on the LSAT, and can
be recognized by common phrasings such as, “Some people argue…,” “A group of scientists has
hypothesized…,” “There are those who believe…,” etcetera. When an author begins his or her argument
by introducing the beliefs of another group, the main point of the author’s argument will almost always
be the exact opposite of the opinion held by the other group that the author references. This is extremely
consistent on the LSAT and useful for quickly determining an author’s position.
The stimulus begins by stating that some people recognize the necessity of shifting alliances and policies
to maintain governmental power, but see this as a drawback of democratic governments since it prevents
policymakers from strictly adhering to fixed principles. Predictably, the conclusion of this argument
is the opposite of that view, as the author believes that the flexibility of government policymakers is
actually beneficial. The author argues that this flexibility grants governments the adaptability they need
to respond to public interests. Implicit in the author’s conclusion is a direct comparison of the value of
each approach. If responding to public needs is more worthy than strictly adhering to principle, then this
flexibility is more a benefit than an evil. If not, the author’s conclusion is illogical.
Answer choice (A): There is a distinction between attaining power and retaining power. In attaining
governmental power, policymakers must build a majority coalition. Once in power, however, the
policymakers are not bound to the factions of their original winning coalition. As the stimulus indicates,
policymakers “shift policies as they try to please different constituents at different times.” Policymakers
can constantly realign coalitions and retain power as long as they enjoy majority support.
Answer choice (B): The stimulus does not discuss nondemocratic forms of government and does not
depend on a comparison between democratic policymakers and nondemocratic policymakers. Such a
comparison has no impact on the validity of the author’s conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. Note that the author does not say that lack
of strict fidelity to principle (adaptability) is entirely positive. Indeed, the assertion that governmental
flexibility is “more a benefit than an evil” suggests that there may well be some negative aspect to this
behavior. But, in making his or her conclusion, the author assumes that the benefits of adaptability
outweigh any associated detriments. If this were not true, the conclusion would be invalid. Since the
conclusion depends on the veracity of this assumption, this answer choice is correct.
Answer choice (D): If a principle has majority support, policymakers may adhere rigorously to principle
and still please different constituents. But the conclusion does not rest upon the assumption that
policymakers can sometimes behave consistently with both of these positions. This assumption is not
required by the argument.
Answer choice (E): Like answer choice (B), this answer discusses nondemocratic forms of government.
Since the stimulus does not address these forms of government, it is not necessary to assume that they
are actually more flexible than democratic forms of government.
Assumption. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus begins with a common argumentative technique where the author states the viewpoint
of a group that he or she will ultimately argue against. This is seen frequently on the LSAT, and can
be recognized by common phrasings such as, “Some people argue…,” “A group of scientists has
hypothesized…,” “There are those who believe…,” etcetera. When an author begins his or her argument
by introducing the beliefs of another group, the main point of the author’s argument will almost always
be the exact opposite of the opinion held by the other group that the author references. This is extremely
consistent on the LSAT and useful for quickly determining an author’s position.
The stimulus begins by stating that some people recognize the necessity of shifting alliances and policies
to maintain governmental power, but see this as a drawback of democratic governments since it prevents
policymakers from strictly adhering to fixed principles. Predictably, the conclusion of this argument
is the opposite of that view, as the author believes that the flexibility of government policymakers is
actually beneficial. The author argues that this flexibility grants governments the adaptability they need
to respond to public interests. Implicit in the author’s conclusion is a direct comparison of the value of
each approach. If responding to public needs is more worthy than strictly adhering to principle, then this
flexibility is more a benefit than an evil. If not, the author’s conclusion is illogical.
Answer choice (A): There is a distinction between attaining power and retaining power. In attaining
governmental power, policymakers must build a majority coalition. Once in power, however, the
policymakers are not bound to the factions of their original winning coalition. As the stimulus indicates,
policymakers “shift policies as they try to please different constituents at different times.” Policymakers
can constantly realign coalitions and retain power as long as they enjoy majority support.
Answer choice (B): The stimulus does not discuss nondemocratic forms of government and does not
depend on a comparison between democratic policymakers and nondemocratic policymakers. Such a
comparison has no impact on the validity of the author’s conclusion.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. Note that the author does not say that lack
of strict fidelity to principle (adaptability) is entirely positive. Indeed, the assertion that governmental
flexibility is “more a benefit than an evil” suggests that there may well be some negative aspect to this
behavior. But, in making his or her conclusion, the author assumes that the benefits of adaptability
outweigh any associated detriments. If this were not true, the conclusion would be invalid. Since the
conclusion depends on the veracity of this assumption, this answer choice is correct.
Answer choice (D): If a principle has majority support, policymakers may adhere rigorously to principle
and still please different constituents. But the conclusion does not rest upon the assumption that
policymakers can sometimes behave consistently with both of these positions. This assumption is not
required by the argument.
Answer choice (E): Like answer choice (B), this answer discusses nondemocratic forms of government.
Since the stimulus does not address these forms of government, it is not necessary to assume that they
are actually more flexible than democratic forms of government.