LSAT Explanation PT 35, S4, Q2: Bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist

LSAT Question Stem

The claim that bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change plays which one of the following roles in the argument? 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is an Argument Part question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is A. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

First, let's analyze the argument in the passage. The passage states that bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change. This is followed by a conclusion that, despite growing dissatisfaction with complex bureaucratic systems, it is unlikely that bureaucracies will be simplified. To summarize, the argument is structured as follows:

Premise: Bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change.

Conclusion: It is unlikely that bureaucracies will be simplified.

Now, let's consider the question type. This is an Argument Part question, which asks us to identify the role a specific claim plays in the argument. In this case, we need to determine the role of the claim that bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change.

Let's go through each answer choice:

a) It is a premise offered in support of the claim that it is unlikely that bureaucracies will be simplified.

This answer choice accurately describes the role of the claim in the argument. The claim that bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change is indeed a premise offered to support the conclusion that bureaucracies are unlikely to be simplified. This is a strong contender.

b) It is a conclusion for which the only support offered is the claim that dissatisfaction with complex bureaucratic systems is growing.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim is not a conclusion; it is a premise. The growing dissatisfaction with complex bureaucratic systems is mentioned in the passage, but it does not support the claim in question.

c) It is cited as evidence that bureaucratic systems are becoming more and more complex.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim does not serve as evidence for the increasing complexity of bureaucratic systems. The passage does not discuss the increasing complexity of these systems; it only mentions dissatisfaction with their complexity.

d) It is used to weaken the claim that bureaucracies should be simplified.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim is not used to weaken the argument that bureaucracies should be simplified. Instead, it is used to support the conclusion that it is unlikely that bureaucracies will be simplified, which is a different claim.

e) It is a conclusion for which the claim that bureaucracies are unlikely to be simplified is offered as support.

This answer choice is incorrect because the claim is not a conclusion; it is a premise. The claim that bureaucracies are unlikely to be simplified is the conclusion of the argument, not the support for the claim in question.

After reviewing all the answer choices, the correct answer is A, as it accurately describes the role of the claim that bureaucratic mechanisms are engineered to resist change in the argument. The claim is a premise offered in support of the conclusion that it is unlikely that bureaucracies will be simplified.