Question

the molasses act of 1733 raised much less money than parliament had expected. about 30 years later, parliament passed the sugar act to try to raise money again. under the sugar act, the tax on french and british molasses was strictly enforced. in other words, the british government made sure that people followed the law. smuggling became much more difficult. many new england merchants argued against the sugar act. some of their arguments were economic, or related to money and business. others were political, or related to government. sort the merchants arguments. parliament does not have the right to tax colonists since there are no colonial representatives in the british government. a tax will make molasses more expensive and will hurt the rum trade.

Explanation:

The statement about lack of colonial representatives relates to government - power and rights, which is political. The statement about the tax hurting the rum trade is about economic impact on business.

Answer:

Economic argument: A tax will make molasses more expensive and will hurt the rum trade.
Political argument: Parliament does not have the right to tax colonists since there are no colonial representatives in the British government.