LSAT Explanation PT 36, S3, Q24: A newspaper article on Britain's unions

LSAT Question Stem

The argument criticizing the newspaper article employs which one of the following strategies? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Method of Reasoning question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

The question type for this problem is Method of Reasoning (MOR), which asks us to identify the strategy the author employs in criticizing the newspaper article.

Let's first break down the argument in the passage. The newspaper article claims that Britain's unions are declining in strength, evidenced by the decreasing number and size of strikes. The author of the passage disagrees with this conclusion and argues that in a modern industrial society, calling a strike is actually evidence of a weak negotiating position. According to the author, strong unions do not need to call strikes, as they can focus on working with others in the labor market to achieve common goals, such as profitable and humane working conditions. In this argument, the premise is that strong unions do not need to call strikes, and the conclusion is that the newspaper article is incorrect in its assessment of union strength.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

a) The author does not question the accuracy of the statistical evidence presented in the newspaper article (i.e., the decreasing number and size of strikes). Instead, they use the same evidence to draw a different conclusion. Therefore, this answer choice is incorrect.

b) The passage does not detail any historical changes that would make the newspaper article's analysis outdated. The author's argument is based on a reinterpretation of the evidence, not a claim that the evidence is no longer relevant. This answer choice is incorrect.

c) This is the correct answer choice. The author reinterprets the evidence (decreasing number and size of strikes) used by the newspaper article to draw an opposite conclusion (that unions are strong, not weak, as the article suggests).

d) The passage does not suggest that the newspaper article's conclusion is motivated by a desire to change the role of unions. The author simply disagrees with the article's conclusion based on their reinterpretation of the evidence. This answer choice is incorrect.

e) Although the passage mentions common interests between unions and management (such as profitable and humane working conditions), this is not the main focus of the author's argument. The main flaw the author identifies in the newspaper article is its misinterpretation of the evidence, not its failure to recognize common interests. This answer choice is incorrect.

In summary, the correct answer choice is (c), as the author's strategy in criticizing the newspaper article is to reinterpret the evidence used by the article to indicate the opposite of what the newspaper concludes.