LSAT Explanation PT 39, S4, Q25: Political commentator: Voters tend to elect

LSAT Question Stem

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the political commentator's argument depends? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Necessary Assumption question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The political commentator claims that voters tend to elect the candidate whose visual image most evokes positive feelings. Based on this, the commentator concludes that laws designed to increase the fairness of elections should not allow one candidate to buy significantly more media exposure than any rival candidates can afford. Here, we can label the first statement as a premise and the second statement as the conclusion.

To make this argument more understandable, let's use a simple example. Imagine there are two candidates, A and B, running for the school president. If candidate A's visual image evokes more positive feelings in students, they are more likely to vote for candidate A. Now, if candidate A is allowed to buy more media exposure, such as posters and banners, than candidate B, it would be unfair to candidate B as more students would vote for candidate A due to their increased exposure.

An "Evaluate" question for this argument could be, "Does increasing media exposure for a candidate lead to more positive feelings towards that candidate's visual image among voters?"

Now, let's discuss the answer choices for this Necessary Assumption question. The correct answer is C.

a) This answer choice is incorrect because the argument doesn't claim that elections are only unfair when one candidate has more resources. The focus is on media exposure and its impact on voters' feelings, not solely on resources.

b) This answer choice is incorrect because it unnecessarily limits the reasons for people having positive feelings towards candidates. The argument doesn't assume that familiarity is the only factor contributing to positive feelings.

c) This is the correct answer. The argument assumes that increased media exposure can lead to more positive feelings towards a candidate's visual image. If we negate this statement and say that media exposure never increases positive feelings, the argument falls apart because there would be no reason to regulate media exposure.

d) This answer choice is incorrect because it focuses on candidates' buying behavior, which is not relevant to the argument. The argument is about the impact of media exposure on voters' feelings, not the candidates' purchasing decisions.

e) This answer choice is incorrect because it is too extreme. The argument doesn't assume that a candidate whose visual image doesn't evoke many positive feelings will never be elected. The focus is on the tendency of voters to elect candidates with more positive visual images.

In summary, the correct answer is C because the argument assumes that increased media exposure can lead to more positive feelings towards a candidate's visual image. This assumption is necessary for the argument's conclusion that laws should regulate media exposure to maintain election fairness.