Even in a democracy!LSAT_I am stuck with this one.

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Even in a democracy, it is necessary to restrict the dissemination of advanced technological knowledge that is of commercial or national-security value. Dissemination to certain countries, those that are or will be competitors or enemies, should be selectively prohibited. There must, however, be free exchange of scientific information.

In order to act in accordance with the position above, it would be necessary to be able to rely on each of the following EXCEPT:

(A) It is possible to distinguish with confidence, despite any changes in the international environment, friendly or noncompetitive from hostile or competitive nations.

(B) In a democracy, it is not necessary that the public have detailed knowledge of the country's advanced technology in order, for example, to make informed decisions about the direction public policy should take.

(C) In most fields of science, basic scientific research is further advanced in countries that are democracies than in countries that are not democracies.

(D) In each field of science, it is possible to distinguish scientific information from advanced technological knowledge that is of commercial or national-security value.

(E) In cases where a company that use advanced technology is a multinational organization, it is possible to keep information about the technology from being passed across designated national boundaries.

OA C
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by albatross86 » Mon Jun 07, 2010 2:30 am
What does the passage say?
In a democracy, restrict dissemination of adv tech knowhow. Esp to certain countries that are deemed competitors/enemies.
HOWEVER, there must be free exchange of scientific info.

You want to follow this directive. In order to be able to act appropriately, you need to rely on certain facts. 4 out of the 5 options are going to be things that will help you act that way. One won't. Find it.

A. This helps you to know which countries you need to selectively prohibit. Eliminate.
B. This justifies the restricted disclosure, and hints that suppressing this info won't violate the tenets of democracy, which are relevant to the extent that the author says "Even in a democracy, it is necessary...". Eliminate.
D. Clearly distinguishes between what should be suppressed and what should not. Eliminate
E. Tells you that it is in fact possible to restrict this info and selectively prohibit certain designated countries. Eliminate

C. This is your famous fifth. Knowing about the advancement of studies in non-democratic countries is irrelevant and you don't need to rely on this info at all to do wht they passage says.

Pick C!