LSAT 145 | Section 3 | Reading Comprehension: Q1

RC Question 1 Explanation

DISCUSSION: Whenever a passage gives a line reference, you should read around it for context. Here, “purely programmatic” is a confusing term. But if you read lines 45-52, things are clearer.

The UDHR is “purely programmatic” and non-binding. It describes a set of ideals for countries to follow, but doesn’t require anything.

With this in mind, it seems likely that “programmatic” means that the UDHR recommends a program of human rights that countries should use when making their own laws.

The question is asking why the author used that term. The author’s aim is to emphasize that the UDHR is non-binding and thus merely “programmatic”. The UDHR has nice language, but countries don’t have to do anything with it if they don’t want to.

___________

1. It may well be likely that the document will inspire countries to create innovative programs. This is a true fact about the UDHR.
    
   But that isn’t what you’re looking for. You want to know why the author said “purely programmatic”. They said it to emphasize that the UDHR is non-binding.
2. The passage simply doesn’t talk about abstract vs. concrete language. This answer is playing on your outside conception that human rights are an abstract concept.
3. Paragraph two talks about the discussions during drafting. But this question is asking about something from paragraph three. Further, the author says the drafting process was long, but they never mention compromises. They can’t have thought compromises were that important.
4. CORRECT. If a treaty is non-binding, then that means there’s no enforcement mechanism. UDHR merely sets forward a non-binding program of human rights principles.
5. This answer is not true. Lines 30-35 say that the UDHR was drafted during the lengthy debates at the UN. There was no separate group of drafters that could be frustrated by the process. The debaters were the drafters.