LSAT Explanation PT 27, S4, Q1: Politician: Governments should tax any harmful

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an application of the politician's principle of taxation? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Parallel question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The politician presents a principle in the form of a conditional statement:

Premise: If a substance is (1) harmful, (2) available to the general public, and (3) taxing it would discourage its continued use, then governments should tax it.

The question is a Parallel question type, which asks us to identify the answer choice that best applies the politician's principle of taxation.

Now, let's evaluate each answer choice:

a) This answer choice focuses on raising the tax on products containing sugar to cover health costs. However, it does not mention whether the tax would discourage the continued use of these products. So, it doesn't fully apply the politician's principle. Eliminate.

b) This answer choice mentions that the substance is harmful and available to the public, but it states that the demand for these products will not be affected, which means that the tax would not discourage continued use. This goes against the politician's principle. Eliminate.

c) This answer choice states that the tax on a harmful pesticide is raised to encourage people to purchase alternative pesticides. This implies that the tax would discourage the continued use of the harmful pesticide. It satisfies all three conditions of the politician's principle, making it the correct answer.

d) This answer choice discusses not raising the tax on alcoholic beverages because of its potential negative impact on the tourist industry. It does not address whether the tax would discourage continued use, and therefore, it does not apply the politician's principle. Eliminate.

e) This answer choice talks about lowering the tax on products that emit harmful fluorocarbons to stimulate the development of new, less harmful ways of using these substances. Lowering the tax would not discourage continued use, which goes against the politician's principle. Eliminate.

In conclusion, the correct answer is C, as it best applies the politician's principle of taxation by satisfying all three conditions: the substance is harmful, available to the general public, and taxing it would discourage its continued use.