LSAT Explanation PT 32, S1, Q9: Rossi: It is undemocratic for people

LSAT Question Stem

Smith's statements can most directly be used as part of an argument for which one of the following views? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Most Strongly supported question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the passage and summarize its main points. Rossi argues that children should have the right to vote because their interests may differ from their parents, and it's undemocratic for people to live under a government where their interests are not represented. Smith agrees that children's interests are not always the same as their parents', but counters that children's understanding of issues and time horizons are different from adults, making it inappropriate to give them the responsibility of voting.

Now, let's identify the question type and what it's asking us to do. The question asks us to find which view Smith's statements can most directly be used as part of an argument for. This is a Must Be True/Most Strongly Supported (MSS) question type.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) A democratic government does not infringe on the rights of any of its citizens.

- This choice is not supported by Smith's statements. Smith's argument is about the appropriateness of giving children the right to vote, not about whether a democratic government infringes on rights in general.

b) Children have rights that must be respected by any political authority that rules over them.

- While this statement may be true, it does not directly follow from Smith's statements. Smith's argument focuses on the idea that children's understanding and time horizons make them unsuitable for voting, not on the general rights of children.

c) News programs for children would give them enough information to enable them to vote in an informed way.

- Smith's statements do not support this claim. Smith acknowledges that children are not generally informed about issues affecting them, but the main point of his argument is about their understanding and time horizons, not the effect of news programs on their ability to vote.

d) If there are any limitations on full democracy that result from denying the vote to children, such limitations must be accepted.

- This answer choice is correct. Smith's statements can be used to support the view that, despite the potential limitations on democracy caused by not allowing children to vote, these limitations must be accepted due to the differences in understanding and time horizons between children and adults.

e) If parents do not adequately represent their children's interests in the political sphere, those interests will be adequately represented by someone else.

- Smith's statements do not address this claim. His argument focuses on the appropriateness of giving children the right to vote, not on whether someone else will represent their interests if their parents don't.

In conclusion, the correct answer is choice D, as Smith's statements can most directly be used as part of an argument for this view.