LSAT Explanation PT 37, S4, Q19: Large-scale government projects designed to benefit

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that large-scale government projects, such as roads, schools, and bridges, usually benefit some small segments of society more than others initially. It then states that the more equally and widely political power is distributed among the citizenry, the less likely these projects are to receive funding. The conclusion drawn is that government by referendum rather than by means of elected representatives tends to diminish, not enhance, the welfare of a society.

In simpler terms, imagine a scenario where a government plans to build a road. Initially, the road might benefit a specific neighborhood more than others. If political power is more equally distributed, projects like this road are less likely to be funded. The passage argues that when decisions are made through referendums (direct voting by citizens), the overall welfare of society is diminished.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be: "Do large-scale government projects generally enhance the welfare of society?"

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

a) Large-scale government projects sometimes enhance the welfare of society.

This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that large-scale government projects can enhance the welfare of society, otherwise, the conclusion that government by referendum diminishes societal welfare wouldn't make sense. If we negate this statement (i.e., large-scale government projects never enhance the welfare of society), the argument falls apart.

b) Large-scale projects are more likely to fulfill their intended purposes if they are not executed by the government.

This choice is out of scope. The argument doesn't discuss whether projects are more successful when executed by non-government entities.

c) Government by referendum actually undermines the democratic process.

This choice is also out of scope. The argument doesn't discuss the impact of referendums on the democratic process itself.

d) The primary purpose of an equal distribution of political power is to enhance the welfare of society.

This choice is not necessary for the argument. The argument focuses on the relationship between the distribution of political power and the funding of large-scale projects, not the primary purpose of equal distribution of political power.

e) Government by referendum is the only way to distribute political power equally and widely.

This choice is not necessary for the argument either. The argument compares government by referendum to government by elected representatives but doesn't claim that referendum is the only way to distribute political power equally and widely.

In conclusion, the correct answer is A, as it is the necessary assumption on which the argument depends.