LSAT Explanation PT 43, S3, Q26: In the aftermath of the Cold

LSAT Question Stem

The situation described above conforms most closely to which one of the following propositions? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Strengthen question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is E. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's first analyze the argument in the passage. The passage discusses the aftermath of the Cold War, where international relations between former allies became more challenging. The leaders of these nations had to conduct tactful economic negotiations to avoid tensions that were previously overlooked due to their common enemy. This argument has one conclusion: in the aftermath of the Cold War, international relations between former allies became more difficult.

The official question type for this problem is Strengthen, and it asks us to find the proposition that conforms most closely to the situation described in the passage.

Before discussing the answer choices, let's create an "Evaluate" question: "Did the presence of a common enemy during the Cold War help allied nations overlook economic tensions?"

Now let's go through each answer choice:

a) International economic competition is a greater cause of tension than is international military competition.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not make any comparison between the tensions caused by economic competition and military competition. It only discusses the difficulties in international relations after the Cold War.

b) Bonds between allies are stronger when they derive from fear of a common enemy than when they derive from common economic goals.

This answer choice is tempting but incorrect. While the passage does imply that the fear of a common enemy helped maintain bonds between allies, it does not mention any common economic goals that these nations shared.

c) When there is a military commitment between countries, fundamental agreement between them on economic matters is more easily reached.

This answer choice is incorrect because the passage does not mention any fundamental agreement on economic matters between the countries during the Cold War. It only states that economic tensions were overlooked.

d) Economic matters are considered unimportant during periods of actual or threatened war.

This answer choice is incorrect because it overstates what the passage says. The passage does not claim that economic matters were unimportant during the Cold War; it only states that certain economic tensions were overlooked.

e) A common enemy contributes to a strengthened bond between nations, enabling them to ignore economic tensions that would otherwise be problematic.

This is the correct answer choice. It accurately captures the situation described in the passage, where the presence of a common enemy during the Cold War helped allied nations overlook economic tensions that became problematic in the aftermath of the Cold War.

In conclusion, the passage's argument is strengthened by answer choice (e), which states that a common enemy contributes to a strengthened bond between nations, enabling them to ignore economic tensions that would otherwise be problematic.