Question

Which is the most valid generalization to be drawn from the study of Prohibition in the United States?

a. Social attitudes can make laws difficult to enforce.
b. Increased taxes affect consumer spending.
c. Morality can be legislated successfully.
d. People will sacrifice willingly for the common good.

Answer 1

Answer: D)social attitudes can make laws difficult to enforce

Explanation: Despite the attempts by the government to get people to act a certain way, the ‘Noble Experiment’ failed miserably. The government realized that people’s desire to make an informed and social decision that was long-established was going to negate its efforts to criminalize alcohol.

Answer 2

The Prohibition failed: the people found other ways to produce and transport alcohol and it only turned the alcohol market into one more dangerous and one that is not bringing taxes into the budget. If it had succeeded, we could say that c. Morality can be legislated successfully, but it failed, so the correct answer is: a. Social attitudes can make laws difficult to enforce. (since it didn't have anything to do with the increase of taxes)