Q24 - Mainstream economic theory holds

[b91302310]

In this question, I think "most major manufacturers manipulate and even create consumer demand" could not alone be the premise without mentioning the following sentence- "as anyone who watches television knows" It is because "as anyone who...." is the connection with the conclusion - mainstream economic theorists musht be something other than disinterested concern for scientific truth.
So, is there anything wrong with answer (E)?

Could anyone explain it?

Thanks.

[bbirdwell]

The structure of this argument mirrors the structure of many, many arguments. The word "however" must be noticed and regarded.

The argument begins with a statement, says HOWEVER, and introduces a contrary statement that is either the main conclusion of the argument, to be followed by a statement of support, or it is a statement of support for a conclusion to follow.

Here, it's clearly the latter. (E) is wrong because this statement plays an important role in developing the logic of the argument. It's not merely background information that the argument can live without:

Mainstream theory says manufacturers respond to consumers.
HOWEVER, manufacturers actually manipulate consumers.

"Supplementary background information" means that the statement is not really pertinent to the argument. This is not true in this case. That statement is used to support the final conclusion, along with phrase regarding television.

[b91302310]

I can see it as the premise that " However,most major ...television knows." But, what really confuses me is that as the question stem only ask the function of part of the premise (without the sentence "as...knows"), which is incomplete to support the argument, could I still say that is one of the claims on which the conclusion is based?

Thanks for the explanation in advance.