Which claim is best supported by evidence in the passage?

• A. Before World War I, consumption-based calls for higher wages relied on ethical claims.
• B. The institutionalists argued that neoclassical economists lacked empirical theories.
• C. Labor activists before World War I were concerned with standards of living.
• D. The 1920s transition was paired with a shift in research objectives for expenditure surveys.

Answer: (D)

The claim that is best supported by evidence in the passage highlights the transition during the 1920s being associated with a change in research objectives for expenditure surveys. This is a significant point because it reflects how economic conditions and academic focus were evolving in response to the needs and experiences of society at the time. The evidence likely illustrates how researchers began to prioritize certain aspects of consumer behavior and spending, revealing a deeper understanding of economic dynamics that were relevant to that historical context.

This claim demonstrates a clear link between the political and economic environments and the methodologies adopted for studying consumer expenditure, underscoring the importance of the 1920s as a pivotal time in economic analysis. The historical shift in research objectives can indicate broader trends in the economy, such as changing consumer priorities or the impact of economic policies introduced in that era.

By focusing on the specific evolution of expenditure surveys, this claim encapsulates both the evidence presented in the passage and the contextual importance of the transition during the 1920s, making it a strongly supported claim.