LSAT Explanation PT 38, S4, Q21: Political scientist: As a political system,

LSAT Question Stem

The reasoning in the political scientist's argument is flawed because it 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Flaw question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is D. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The political scientist concludes that democracy does not promote political freedom. The support for this conclusion comes from two historical examples: one where democracy existed but did not result in political freedom, and another where political freedom existed without democracy. The conclusion is based on the assumption that if democracy were to promote political freedom, it would always do so, and political freedom would never exist in the absence of democracy.

The question type is Flaw, which asks us to identify the flaw in the political scientist's reasoning. Let's go through the answer choices:

a) confuses the conditions necessary for political freedom with the conditions sufficient to bring it about

This answer choice is incorrect because the political scientist does not confuse necessary and sufficient conditions. The argument simply states that democracy is neither necessary nor sufficient for political freedom, but it does not make any claims about what conditions are necessary or sufficient for political freedom.

b) fails to consider that a substantial increase in the level of political freedom might cause a society to become more democratic

This answer choice is also incorrect because it introduces a reverse causation scenario that is not relevant to the argument. The argument is about whether democracy promotes political freedom, not whether political freedom causes a society to become more democratic.

c) appeals to historical examples that are irrelevant to the causal claim being made

This answer choice is incorrect because the historical examples are relevant to the argument. The political scientist uses these examples to show that democracy is not always associated with political freedom and that political freedom can exist without democracy.

d) overlooks the possibility that democracy promotes political freedom without being necessary or sufficient by itself to produce it

This is the correct answer choice. The political scientist's argument is flawed because it assumes that if democracy promotes political freedom, it must always do so and political freedom must never exist without democracy. However, it is possible that democracy can promote political freedom without being a necessary or sufficient condition for it. For example, democracy might encourage political freedom, but other factors could also contribute to or inhibit political freedom.

e) bases its historical case on a personal point of view

This answer choice is incorrect because the argument is not based on the political scientist's personal point of view, but rather on historical examples.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be, "Do the historical examples provided accurately represent the relationship between democracy and political freedom?"

In summary, the correct answer is D, as it identifies the flaw in the political scientist's reasoning by pointing out that democracy could still promote political freedom without being necessary or sufficient by itself to produce it.