The stable functioning of a society

[sumitkhurana]

The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens. This is clear from the fact that unless the majority of individuals have a predictable and enduring set of aspirations, it will be impossible for a legislature to craft laws that will augment the satisfaction of the citizenry, and it should be obvious that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens.
The claim that a society is stable only if its laws tend to increase the happiness of its citizens plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
(A) It is the conclusion of the argument.
(B) It helps to support the conclusion of the argument.
(C) It is a claim that must be refuted if the conclusion is to be established.
(D) It is a consequence of the argument.
(E) It is used to illustrate the general principle that the argument presupposes.

[delhiboy1979]

I would go with E solely because:

Presupposition: 1st line ->The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens.

[schumi_gmat]

yes IMO E.

As said by delhiboy

[abhi75]

IMO the answer is B. What is the OA?

The conclusion of the argument is in the beginning

The stable functioning of a society depends upon the relatively long-term stability of the goals of its citizens.

First sentence is the conclusion, the second is the fact in support of the argument, and from this it is obvious that.....

So this is the support to the conclusion I think.

-A

[delhiboy1979]

Hmm..abhi75..good point there. I am confused now. can we have the OA please.

[sumitkhurana]

OA is B.

[mason77]

I also will go with E