LSAT Explanation PT 34, S3, Q14: People's political behavior frequently does not

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the claim that people tend not to reelect inactive politicians? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part 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 argument can be summarized as follows:

Premise 1: People's political behavior frequently does not match their rhetoric.

Premise 2: Many people complain about government intervention in their lives.

Premise 3: People tend not to reelect inactive politicians.

Premise 4: A politician's activity consists largely in the passage of laws whose enforcement affects voters' lives.

Conclusion: Voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent.

The question type is Argument Part, and it's asking us to identify the role played in the argument by the claim that people tend not to reelect inactive politicians (Premise 3).

Now, let's discuss each answer choice:

a) It describes a phenomenon for which the argument's conclusion is offered as an explanation.

This answer choice is incorrect because the conclusion does not explain the phenomenon of people not reelecting inactive politicians. Instead, the conclusion focuses on the fact that voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent.

b) It is a premise offered in support of the conclusion that voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent.

This is the correct answer. Premise 3 supports the conclusion by showing that people tend to reelect active politicians, even though their activity often results in government intervention in their lives, which they complain about.

c) It is offered as an example of how a politician's activity consists largely in the passage of laws whose enforcement interferes with voters' lives.

This answer choice is incorrect because Premise 3 does not serve as an example of how a politician's activity consists of passing laws that interfere with voters' lives. Instead, it highlights the tendency of people to not reelect inactive politicians.

d) It is a generalization based on the claim that people complain about government intervention in their lives.

This answer choice is incorrect because Premise 3 is not a generalization based on people's complaints about government intervention. It is a separate observation about people's voting behavior.

e) It is cited as evidence that people's behavior never matches their political beliefs.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not claim that people's behavior never matches their political beliefs. The passage states that people's political behavior frequently does not match their rhetoric, which is different from never matching their political beliefs.

In summary, the correct answer is B, as it accurately describes the role played by the claim that people tend not to reelect inactive politicians in the argument. This claim serves as a premise that supports the conclusion that voters often reelect politicians whose behavior they resent.