A historian compiled federal-spending data for four years (in $B): 1960 defense, 48; 1960 social programs, 22; 2010 defense, 690; 2010 social programs, 1,710. The historian argued that the relative balance of federal priorities shifted from defense-dominant in 1960 to social-program-dominant in 2010. The data most directly supporting this <em>shift in balance</em> is ______
Which choice most logically completes the text using the data above?
- Acheck_circle
the reversal of ratio: in 1960 defense was about 2x social spending; in 2010 social was about 2.5x defense.
- B
the 2010 social figure of $1,710 billion.
- C
the absolute increase in defense spending.
- D
the 1960 defense figure of $48 billion.
Explanation
A "shift in balance" requires showing the relative ratio reversed. Choice B does this exactly: 2:1 in favor of defense in 1960 vs. 2.5:1 in favor of social in 2010. Absolute figures alone don't speak to balance.