Logical Reasoning

PT129 · S3 · Q12 Editorial: To qualify as an effective law

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Logical Reasoning question.

  • Save & drill this skill — build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs — watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs — as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Start practicing free

Editorial: To qualify as an effective law, as opposed to merely an impressive declaration, a command must be backed up by an effective enforcement mechanism.

Evidence

To qualify as an effective law, as opposed to merely an impressive declaration, a command must be backed up by an effective enforcement mechanism.

That is why societies have police.

The power of the police to EF → EN enforce a society’s laws makes those laws effective.

But there is currently no ~IP international police force.

Conclusion

Hence, what is called ~EF “international law” is not effective law.

Evaluate

The argument assumes ~IP → ~EN that if there is no international police force, then international law will not be enforced.

12.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the editorial's argument?

  1. No one obeys a command

    Too Strong

    The argument assumes that some people must be compelled to obey some commands, but it does not require assuming that anyone who obeys a command is compelled to do so.

    6% picked this

  2. If an international police force

    Negation

    This negates a direct connection IP → EF from the third premise and the conclusion.

    18% picked this

  3. The only difference between international

    Out of Scope

    While lacking an effective enforcement mechanism is a difference between international law and the law of an individual society, the argument does not assume that this is the only difference between them.

    5% picked this

  4. The primary purpose of a

    Too Strong

    While the argument does assume a connection between having a police force and the ability to enforce the laws, it does not assume that enforcing the laws is the primary purpose of the police force.

    1% picked this

  5. Correct

    Only an international police force

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap between EN → IP enforcing international law and having an international police force.

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    71% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

Save and practice this skill
LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free