Critical Reasoning

Prominent business executives often play active roles in United States presidential campaigns as fundraisers or backroom strategists but few actually seek to become president themselves. Throughout history the great majority of those who have sought to become president have been lawyers, military leaders, or full-time politicians. This is understandable, for the personality and skills that make for success in business do not make for success in politics. Business is largely hierarchical, whereas politics is coordinative; as a result, business executives tend to be uncomfortable with compromises and power sharing, which are inherent in politics.

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the proposed explanation of why business executives do not run for president?

(A) Many of the most active presidential fundraisers and backroom strategists are themselves politicians.
(B) Military leaders are generally no more comfortable with compromises and power sharing than are business executives.
(C) Some of the skills needed to become a successful lawyer are different from some of those needed to become a successful military leader.
(D) Some former presidents have engaged in business ventures after leaving office
(E) Some hierarchically structured companies have been major financial supporters of candidates for president.


OA B

proposed explanation: BE tend to be uncomfortable with compromises and power sharing, which are inherent in politics ( i .e. Military leaders and lawyers are comfortable)

thus only B breaks the argument by saying : Military leaders are generally no more comfortable with compromises and power sharing than are business executives.

hence B

The explanation hinges on the idea that Business personality + skills are SEPARATE from politics.

Business = hierarchical
Politics = coordinative

Therefore, business execs uncomfortable w/compromise & powersharing.

We are looking for an answer choice that most concretely shows these ideas to be FALSE.

IMO:B.

If military leaders have often become president and they are ALSO uncomfortable w/compromise & powersharing, then it weakens the idea that this uncomfortability is the REASON business execs do not attempt to become president.

I chose B too. But didnt have a strong reason to eliminate D.
Can anyone please explain?

@jaguar123

D - Some former presidents have engaged in business ventures after leaving office

Argument didn't say anything about presidents comfort level of getting involved in business ventures after leaving office.
it may be the case that some former presidents like to be involved or forced to do so..

Hope this will clear your doubt.

Let me know if you have any issue.

well done.

Thats a good , sharp explanation. But should we be this careful in making inferences?

Some former presidents have engaged in business ventures after leaving office

Cant we assume, at least it is possible for politicians to move to business?
Which would in a way weaken?