Economist: Some people argue that when large countries split into seve

Economist: Some people argue that when large countries split into several small countries, the world economy is harmed by increased barriers to free trade in the form of an increased number of national tariffs. But small countries do not think of themselves as economically self-sufficient. Therefore, such division of large countries does not increase barriers to free trade.

Which one of the following, if assumed, enables the economist’s conclusion to be properly drawn?

Crux of the argument is that small countries do not think of themselves as economically not self-sufficient. Why is that so??? What makes them think so and is it really that such thinking hampers or endorses world economically, and if so, how??

(A) A country has the right to split into smaller countries even if some of the economic consequences of division would harm the world economy.

(B) Increasing the number of countries in the world would strengthen rather than weaken the world economy.

(C) All countries that impose national tariffs or other barriers to free trade think of themselves as economically self-sufficient.

(D) There is strong evidence that national tariffs and other barriers to free trade harm the world economy.

(E) Large countries tend to be more economically self-sufficient than small countries.

Only C and E stand a chance.
E loses out because even if what it states is true, it does not lets us know how thinking part is playing out on self-sufficiency aspect. Also, what large countries, even if they are relative self-sufficient, do. Do they impose tariff?? Finally, is it only that large countries impose tariff? On the other hand, C states that any country can impose tariff if it thinks so.

Answer C.

EXPLANATION FROM POWER PREP

Whenever the stimulus begins by outlining someone else's argument, you can be sure that the author's conclusion will be the exact opposite of theirs. In this particular case, the author counters the argument that the division of large countries leads to more national tariffs and increased barriers to free trade by pointing out that small countries do not see themselves as economically self-sufficient. "So what?" you may ask. Figuring out the logic behind the author's premise will help you tremendously in connecting that premise to the her conclusion.

If small countries do not see themselves as economically self-sufficient, then we can reasonably expect them to avoid imposing any tariffs that impede imports and free trade. Because the author fails to explain how a country's perceived lack of self-sufficiency is relevant to that country's trade policies, the correct answer choice will doubtless focus on it.

Observant test-takers will also notice the conditional reasoning that underlies this argument:

SC = Small Countries

SS = Self-sufficient

NT = National Tariffs

Premise: SC → SS

Conclusion: SC → NT

To arrive at the conclusion, you need to look for an answer choice that establishes that:

SS → NT (or the contrapositive NT → SS)

In other words, the correct answer must establish that every country that imposes national tariffs considers itself a self-sufficient country. Answer choice (C) is therefore correct.

Answer choice (A): Since the author does not think that the split would harm the world economy, this answer choice is irrelevant and incorrect. Furthermore, the rights of countries are entirely inconsequential to an argument focusing on economic policy. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (B): The author does not argue that the division of large countries would strengthen the world economy; her argument is simply that barriers to free trade will not increase as a result of such division. Even if free trade were beneficial to the world economy in general, this answer choice would only strengthen the author's conclusion, not prove it. Remember: the correct answer to a Justify question must prove the conclusion, not merely support it. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. If every country that imposes barriers to free trade perceives itself as self-sufficient, then a country that does not see itself as self-sufficient will not erect such barriers. By connecting a nation's perceived self-sufficiency to the probability that it will impose barriers to free trade, this answer choice proves the conclusion. See discussion above.

Answer choice (D): The negative impact of tariffs on the world economy is consistent with the author's conclusion but does not strengthen it, let alone prove it. The author does not think that increasing the number of small countries will lead to increased barriers to free trade. This answer choice is incorrect.

Answer choice (E): If small countries are less self-sufficient than large ones, this would only establish that the small countries are correct in their self-perception. While this may strengthen the author's premise, it provides no definitive support for her conclusion. This answer choice is incorrect.

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