Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their own

Question

Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their own self-interest. A case in point is August Frenson, who throughout his eight terms in office consistently opposed measures limiting the advantage incumbents enjoy over their challengers. Therefore, if such measures are to be enacted, they must result from direct popular vote rather from legislative action.

The case of August Frenson plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

(A) It provides evidence, the falsity of which would guarantee the falsity of the author’s conclusion.
(B) It is cited as an example illustrating the generalization that is invoked.
(C) It gives essential background information concerning a measure being advocated.
(D) It demonstrates the extent to which incumbents have the advantage over challengers.
(E) It gives an example of the limits of direct popular vote.

BlueBook · Answer

Conclusion : Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their self-interest.
 Why : An example of August Frenson is given. He opposed legislation limiting the advantages incumbents enjoy over their challengers. August Frenson himself is a serial incumbent therefore the legislation would go against his self-interest of remaining in power.
The choice that follows from the analysis above is  choice B .

mialanknox · Answer

Main idea:  Few politicians support legislations against their self interest  >> Generalization is = Many politicians don't support legislations that don't benefit them .

A -  Because generalization is made on many politicians - we would need to show many examples to support or weaken the conclusion.  Even if this example is proved false then also it won't affect the conclusion. Therefore, incorrect.

B -  The case of August is one of the many examples  that can used as an evidence to support the generalization/conclusion. Correct.

C - The case is used to advocate that people's vote can get legislations passed which politics withhold. So this is correct, but  the argument which the question is referring to is the "Few politicians..." one not the "Therefore,...".  Having identified the main idea correctly we help in eliminating this trap choice. Incorrect.

D - It doesn't demonstrate an advantage for the argument because it is not  a strong evidence.  It is just one of the many examples, not a strong support. Incorrect.

E - It is in fact  supporting  the importance of people's vote. This is an opposite trap. Incorrect.

Therefore,  option B is the correct answer.

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SafSin28 · Answer

QS: Role. 
Argument: 
Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their own self-interest. --> Principle.

A case in point is August Frenson, who throughout his eight terms in office consistently opposed measures limiting the advantage incumbents enjoy over their challengers. ---> An example.

if such measures are to be enacted---> premise. 
 they must result from direct popular vote rather from legislative action.---> Conclusion.

(A) It provides evidence, the falsity of which would guarantee the falsity of the author’s conclusion. (Example is sufficient for the conclusion? No, OUT. 
(B) It is cited as an example illustrating the generalization that is invoked. ---> Few politicians= August Frenson? Like in the argument. 
(C) It gives essential background information concerning a measure being advocated.----> Nope, it is not a principle. 
(D) It demonstrates the extent to which incumbents have the advantage over challengers.---> Nothing about the extent is given in the argument. So OUT. 
(E) It gives an example of the limits of direct popular vote.----> Nope, but it may be about the limits of legislation. So OUT.

Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their own

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Few politicians will support legislation that conflicts with their own

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