Sociologist: Some people argue that capital punishment for theft was

I like this question! Here is my approach.

Sociologist: Some people argue that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism. Critics of such a view argue that more people were executed for theft in preindustrial England than were executed in England after industrialization. But such a criticism overlooks the fact that industrialization and capitalism are two very different social phenomena, and that the latter predated the former by several centuries.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the passage by the point that capitalism and industrialization are distinct?

First identify the point that states capitalism and industrialization are distinct : the fact that industrialization and capitalism are two very different social phenomena, and that the latter predated the former by several centuries

This point contradicts the statement : Critics of such a view argue that more people were executed for theft in preindustrial England than were executed in England after industrialization.

These Critics oppose the statement : Some people argue that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism.

Prethinking - Thus, it opposes the critics of the view that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism.

Looking carefully at the options keeping in mind our prethinking.

(A) It is cited as some evidence against the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism - NO
(B) It is cited as a direct contradiction of the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism - NO
(C) It is an attempt to conclusively prove the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism - This is tempting. But it does not prove this claim. It contradicts the critics of this claim.
(D) It is cited as a fact supporting the critics of the view that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism - NO
(E) It is an attempt to undermine the criticism cited against the claim that capital punishment for theft was an essential part of the labor discipline of British capitalism - YES. That's Correct.

the phrase "conclusively proves" in C kills this choice.
IMO: E

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