Invalid Rationale for Protectionism

Steps:

• Protectionism involves trade barriers like tariffs to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.
• Review standard economic justifications: infant industry protection, strategic control, and temporary aid for declining sectors.
• Assess option B: It opposes protectionism's goal, as barriers limit imports and reduce consumer variety.
• Eliminate A, D as valid (infant growth and strategic retention), leaving C as mismatched.

Why C is correct:

• Protectionism prolongs declining industries' survival but does not facilitate worker retraining or job transitions, per economic theory on resource reallocation.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Valid infant industry argument allows new sectors to mature without foreign dominance.
• B: Invalid, as protectionism restricts imports, narrowing rather than widening consumer choices.
• D: Valid for national security, retaining control over key industries like defense.

Final answer: C