Columnist: A democratic society cannot exist unless its citizens have

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

The stimulus contains conditional reasoning, and can be diagrammed as follows: DS = democratic society exists, SB = citizens establish strong bonds of mutual trust, PCO = participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. Premises: DS
SB
PCO. Conclusion: Widespread reliance on movies and electronic media for entertainment has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy. The conclusion brings in a new element—reliance on movies and electronic media—and you should expect to see that element in the correct answer choice. First, let us take a moment to closely examine the conclusion. The wording in the conclusion is interesting: “has an inherently corrosive effect on democracy.” We know from the premises that a democratic society relies on both citizens and participation in groups outside the family. How then can the author suggest that democracy is being corroded? Since corrosion implies an undermining force, democracy can be undermined by attacking the conditions it relies upon. If, for example, the participation in organizations outside the family was curtailed, this would eventually enact a contrapositive that would undermine the existence of democratic society. The assumption that is needed therefore, is to show that movies and other electronic media somehow lead to a lessening of participation in civic organizations, political parties, and other groups outside the family. This is the connection made in answer choice (D), the correct answer.

Answer choice (A): This was the most commonly selected wrong answer, and this answer is incorrect because it exaggerates the situation. The author does not assume that anyone would be unable to form a strong bond of trust. The argument was clear about a corrosive effect on democracy. This answer, if it were an assumption, would lead to the end of democracy. That result is too strong for the author’s conclusion.

Answer choice (B): The author makes no assumption regarding organizations advancing their agenda.

Answer choice (C): The argument is not about newspapers and print media.

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer. This Supporter assumption connects the new element in the conclusion back to the conditional relationship in the premises.

Answer choice (E): The author does not assume that closeness to the family is a bad thing, but that one must also participate outside the family. This answer does not suggest otherwise, and it is not an assumption of the argument.