#1 - Main Point

[Administrator]

Question Line Reference
(See the complete passage discussion here: lsat/viewtopic.php?t=11045)

The correct answer choice is (E)

The justification for the correct answer can be found on:

(Lines 1-7; 56-60)

The answer to this question is prephrased in the VIEWSTAMP analysis in our passage discussion, and is reflected clearly in answer choice (E), which basically restates the first paragraph of the passage.

[uhinberg]

Can you please explain why answer A is wrong. Also, I got thrown off in E by the fact that the author says only that most (not all) authoritarian rulers who undertake democratic reforms do so for those reasons. Doesn't E seem to state that all authoritarian rulers do so, in which case, it overstates the main point?

[Francis O'Rourke]

Hi Uhin,

If you take the word "most" as 'more than half, but not all' choice (E) does not seem to make sense based on the opening sentence. Of course, the LSAT uses "most" in a much different way. The first sentence describes over 50% of authoritarian rulers who undertake democratic reform. since 100% is over 50%, "most" can include "all."

That only answers part of the question. The harder part is seeing where the author says that all authoritarian rulers are compelled to institute reform at some point. The final sentence tells us that the only hope a ruler has of retaining power is to "match democratic social changes with democratic political changes." This tells us that authoritarian rulers will inevitably be pressured by democratic societal forces. It is their only hope to retain power.

Choice (A) is very close, but misses the author's point about the pace of economic growth. While changes in economics can cause pressures, the author actually says positive economic growth is linked to increased pressures and shifts in the social order, not slower growth.