LSAT Explanation PT 24, S2, Q17: After the Second World War, the

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning given for the structure of the Security Council assumes that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is B. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage discusses the structure of the United Nations Security Council after the Second World War, stating that the charter provided five major powers (at that time) with permanent veto authority. The reason given for this arrangement is that the burden of maintaining world peace would rest on the world's major powers, and no nation should be required to assume the burden of enforcing a decision it finds repugnant. Here, the premise is the reason given for the arrangement, and the conclusion is the arrangement itself (five nations having permanent veto authority).

To simplify this, imagine a group of five friends who are responsible for organizing a party, and they are given the sole authority to make decisions about the party's theme. The reason is that they are the most experienced in organizing parties and should not be forced to plan a party with a theme they dislike.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Will these five nations remain the major powers responsible for maintaining world peace in the future?"

Now, let's identify the question type and discuss the answer choices. This is a Necessary Assumption question, which asks us to find the assumption the argument relies on.

a) This answer choice is irrelevant to the argument, as it discusses democracy among nations, which is not a concern in the passage.

b) This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that no nation that was not among the major powers at the end of the Second World War would become a major power. If this were not true, the arrangement of giving permanent veto authority to only those five major powers would not ensure that the burden of maintaining world peace rests on the world's major powers.

c) This answer choice does not necessarily imply that the nations mentioned are already major powers or that new major powers have emerged. It is not an assumption the argument relies on.

d) This answer choice is irrelevant, as it discusses minor powers allying with major powers for protection. It does not address the assumption about the burden of maintaining world peace.

e) This answer choice is not necessary for the argument, as it discusses bias in decisions reached by a majority of nations. The argument's focus is on the burden of maintaining world peace and not on biased decisions.

In conclusion, the correct answer is B, as the argument assumes that no nation that was not among the major powers at the end of the Second World War would become a major power.