Policy Adviser: Freedom of speech is not only a basic human right, it

Aristole's got some great stuff..and great tips for beginning one's GMAT journey..but this is a horrible horrible question.

What's the CONCLUSION here?

- Freedom of speech is the ONLY rational policy?
- Government should adopt rational policies thus Freedom of Speech?

Both of the cases above, the key word is *rational* and the argument goes on to explain why why Freedom of Speech is rational/good.
This means to strengthen the argument we are looking for anything that can fill the gaps:

- Mitigate Freedom of speech's bad sides
- Why government shouldn't adopt irrational policies
- Why this government shouldn't adopt other rational policies
- Government should only adopt policies that are basic human rights..

(D) Governments are less likely to be overthrown if they openly adopt a policy allowing freedom of speech
The correct answer talks about overthrown..which is not at all discussed in the argument nor is it an issue that can be inferred. I would actually argue that rational vs. stay in office are actually slightly contrasting goals. We have see this all too often from history, the most hipster, most hope-seeking, the most people-pleasing policy are always adopted first to secure a position in office. Are any of these in the rational category? ........Very rarely.

My take :

Conc : it is also the only rational policy for this government to adopt
Why ? : Some advantages ....

(A) Most citizens would tolerate some limits on freedom of speech --> limiting is out of scope
(B) With or without a policy of freedom of speech, governments respond to dangerous ideas irrationally -->2 issues that i find here, A, with or without, --> this implies freedom of speech has no effect, 2. the scope of the argument is too narrow,we also have other benefits of FOS what about them ?
(C) Freedom of religion and freedom of assembly are also basic human rights than governments must recognize --> argument is not really concerned with freedom of religion and assembly.
(D) Governments are less likely to be overthrown if they openly adopt a policy allowing freedom of speech --> Looks good, gives a motive for the govt to accept the policy.
(E) Great ideas have flourished in societies that repress free speech as often as in those that permit it --> this negates somewhat.

Good question. Conclusion is freedom of speech to be adopted by the government.

Three premises (benefits of free speech)
a) When ideas are openly aired good idea flourish,
b) silly proposals are easily recognized as such, and
c) dangerous ideas can be responded to by forcing citizens to disseminate their thoughts in secret

Option D appropriately provides an example of c) whilst linking it with why the government should adopt free speech (avoid overthrow of govt)

Check out TWIN QUESTION here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/policy-advis ... 14776.html

Policy Adviser: Freedom of speech is not only a basic human right, it is also the only rational policy for this government to adopt. When ideas are openly aired good idea flourish, silly proposals are easily recognized as such, and dangerous ideas can be responded to by forcing citizens to disseminate their thoughts in secret.

Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument?

(A) Most citizens would tolerate some limits on freedom of speech - WRONG. Misses narrowly to D. Okay people may not mind limits but does govt benefit eventually in a certain manner. For certainly some more assumptions are required to be made.

(B) With or without a policy of freedom of speech, governments respond to dangerous ideas irrationally - WRONG. Goes nowhere.

(C) Freedom of religion and freedom of assembly are also basic human rights than governments must recognize - WRONG. Irrelevant. No impact on passage.

(D) Governments are less likely to be overthrown if they openly adopt a policy allowing freedom of speech - CORRECT. If that helps govt stay in power then it's is good policy to adopt.

(E) Great ideas have flourished in societies that repress free speech as often as in those that permit it - WRONG. Negative.

Answer D.

Accepting the option D correct is not easy over here.

Policy Adviser says that freedom of speech is rational policy for this government to adopt because blah, blah, blah, ...

(D) says that governments are less likely to be overthrown if they openly adopt a policy allowing freedom of speech.

If this is true for the government being discussed, then it makes the policy of freedom of speech even more rational and advisable for this particular government to adopt.