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Difficulty: Very hardNecessary vs. Sufficient Condition Flaws

Economist: A developing nation can achieve sustained economic self-reliance only if it first establishes a robust domestic manufacturing sector. Moreover, implementing protectionist trade policies is a strict prerequisite for any nation attempting to establish such a sector. Thus, if a developing nation has successfully implemented protectionist trade policies, it is guaranteed to eventually achieve sustained economic self-reliance.

Which of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the economist's reasoning?

  1. A
    treats a condition whose presence guarantees a particular outcome as though its presence is required for that outcome
  2. B
    ignores the possibility that a robust domestic manufacturing sector could be established in the absence of protectionist trade policies
  3. treats a condition whose presence is required for a particular outcome as though its presence ensures that the outcome is achievedAnswer
  4. D
    presumes, without providing justification, that establishing a robust domestic manufacturing sector is the sole cause of sustained economic self-reliance
  5. E
    draws a conclusion about the overall economic trajectory of a nation based solely on the specific success of its manufacturing sector

Answer

The correct answer accurately describes the argument treating a necessary condition as a sufficient condition.
The correct answer perfectly captures the logical structure of the error. The premises establish that protectionist policies are a requirement (necessary condition) for the ultimate goal of self-reliance. The conclusion then flips this relationship, falsely claiming that merely having those policies is enough to guarantee (sufficient condition) the ultimate goal.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Diagram the conditional statements presented in the premises.
Premise 1: Sustained Economic Self-Reliance → Robust Domestic Manufacturing Sector. Premise 2: Robust Domestic Manufacturing Sector → Protectionist Trade Policies.
Phrases like 'only if' and 'strict prerequisite' introduce necessary conditions, which follow the arrow.
2
Combine the premises to find the valid logical chain.
Chain: Sustained Economic Self-Reliance → Protectionist Trade Policies.
Because the necessary condition of the first premise is the sufficient condition of the second, they link together logically.
3
Diagram the conclusion drawn by the economist.
Conclusion: Protectionist Trade Policies → Sustained Economic Self-Reliance.
The conclusion uses 'if' to introduce a sufficient condition and 'guaranteed to' to indicate the resulting necessary condition.
4
Compare the valid chain to the drawn conclusion to identify the logical error.
The valid chain is A → C, but the conclusion is C → A. The author has taken a necessary condition (C) and treated it as if it were a sufficient condition.
This structural mismatch is a classic Illegal Reversal flaw.
5
Locate the answer choice that abstracts this specific error.
The correct option states that the argument 'treats a condition whose presence is required... as though its presence ensures that the outcome is achieved'.
This phrasing perfectly describes taking a necessary condition ('required') and treating it as a sufficient condition ('ensures').

Key Concept

Identifying Illegal Reversal within a multi-premise conditional chain by abstracting the logical flaw.
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Topics

Necessary vs. Sufficient Condition Flaws

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