CAT 2020 Slot 1 VARC Question & Solution

Reading ComprehensionMedium

Passage

The passage below is accompanied by a set of questions. Choose the best answer to each question.

The word ‘anarchy’ comes from the Greek 'anarkhia', meaning contrary to authority or without a ruler, and was used in a derogatory sense until 1840, when it was adopted by Pierre-Joseph Proudhon to describe his political and social ideology. Proudhon argued that organization without government was both possible and desirable. In the evolution of political ideas, anarchism can be seen as an ultimate projection of both liberalism and socialism, and the differing strands of anarchist thought can be related to their emphasis on one or the other of these.

Historically, anarchism arose not only as an explanation of the gulf between the rich and the poor in any community, and of the reason why the poor have been obliged to fight for their share of a common inheritance, but as a radical answer to the question ‘What went wrong?’ that followed the ultimate outcome of the French Revolution. It had ended not only with a reign of terror and the emergence of a newly rich ruling caste, but with a new adored emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, strutting through his conquered territories.

The anarchists and their precursors were unique on the political Left in affirming that workers and peasants, grasping the chance that arose to bring an end to centuries of exploitation and tyranny, were inevitably betrayed by the new class of politicians, whose first priority was to re-establish a centralized state power. After every revolutionary uprising, usually won at a heavy cost for ordinary populations, the new rulers had no hesitation in applying violence and terror, a secret police, and a professional army to maintain their control.

For anarchists the state itself is the enemy, and they have applied the same interpretation to the outcome of every revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is not merely because every state keeps a watchful and sometimes punitive eye on its dissidents, but because every state protects the privileges of the powerful.

The mainstream of anarchist propaganda for more than a century has been anarchist- communism, which argues that property in land, natural resources, and the means of production should be held in mutual control by local communities, federating for innumerable joint purposes with other communes. It differs from state socialism in opposing the concept of any central authority. Some anarchists prefer to distinguish between anarchist-communism and collectivist anarchism in order to stress the obviously desirable freedom of an individual or family to possess the resources needed for living, while not implying the right to own the resources needed by others. . . .

There are, unsurprisingly, several traditions of individualist anarchism, one of them deriving from the ‘conscious egoism’ of the German writer Max Stirner (1806-56), and another from a remarkable series of 19th-century American figures who argued that in protecting our own autonomy and associating with others for common advantages, we are promoting the good of all. These thinkers differed from free-market liberals in their absolute mistrust of American capitalism, and in their emphasis on mutualism.

Question 1

The author makes all of the following arguments in the passage, EXCEPT:

The failure of the French Revolution was because of its betrayal by the new class of politicians who emerged from it.

For anarchists, the state is the enemy because all states apply violence and terror to maintain their control.

Individualist anarchism is actually constituted of many streams, all of which focus on the autonomy of the individual.

The popular perception of anarchism as espousing lawlessness and violence comes from a mainstream mistrust of collectivism.

Solution:

Option A: This element is discussed in the third paragraph: {"...The anarchists and their precursors were unique on the political Left in affirming that workers and peasants, grasping the chance that arose to bring an end to centuries of exploitation and tyranny, were inevitably betrayed by the new class of politicians, whose first priority was to re-establish a centralized state power..."} Prior to making this claim, the failure of the French revolution is highlighted, and this segment is subsequently tied to it. Hence, Option A is definitely a point that is made in the passage.

Option B: This has been outlined in the fourth paragraph: {"...For anarchists, the state itself is the enemy, and they have applied the same interpretation to the outcome of every revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries. This is not merely because every state keeps a watchful and sometimes punitive eye on its dissidents, but because every state protects the privileges of the powerful... "}

Option C: The last two paragraphs present the perception associated with individualist-anarchism: {"...desirable freedom of an individual or family to possess the resources needed for living, while not implying the right to own the resources needed by others. . . .There are, unsurprisingly, several traditions of individualist anarchism, one of them deriving from the ‘conscious egoism’ of the German writer Max Stirner (1806-56), and another from a remarkable series of 19th-century American figures who argued that in protecting our own autonomy and associating with others for common advantages, we are promoting the good of all..."} Thus, we can evidently understand the statement in C to be true.

Option D, however, is not inferable from the discussion undertaken in the passage. The author does not pinpoint "a mainstream mistrust of collectivism" as the source of the misconception of anarchism "espousing lawlessness and violence". No causal element is discussed, and thus, the statement in D is not an argument that is made in the passage.

Hence, Option D is the correct answer.

Question 2

The author believes that the new ruling class of politicians betrayed the principles of the French Revolution, but does not specify in what way. In the context of the passage, which statement below is the likeliest explanation of that betrayal?

The new ruling class was constituted mainly of anarchists who were against the destructive impact of the Revolution on the market.

The anarchists did not want a new ruling class, but were not politically strong enough to stop them.

The new ruling class struck a deal with the old ruling class to share power between them.

The new ruling class rode to power on the strength of the workers’ revolutionary anger, but then turned to oppress that very class.

Solution:

The third paragraph renders us with sufficient information concerning the manner of betrayal. The failure of the Frech Revolution is being attributed to the deceit of the new class of politicians who not only prioritised the re-establishment and centralisation of authority but also unleashed a reign of terror on the ordinary masses. The author hints at this re-installation of power and the atrocities committed on the common people, who are the very drivers of the revolution, being the desertion of the principles of the French Revolution by the new ruling class of politicians. Any statement that aligns with this understanding would be a suitable answer. Option A brings in the concept of an impact on the market, which is not mentioned in the passage. Additionally, it does not signify betrayal of any kind. Same can be said about the statement in Option B. Option C is a strong candidate that symbolises betrayal. However, can we appropriately associate it with the underlying principles of the revolution? The author's primary focus is on the cost borne by the ordinary populations, and despite the revolution being realised by their sacrifices, they are still the ones being subjected to inequity and torment. Although C highlights betrayal, it does not truly coincide with the idea being conveyed. The afore-mentioned element is appropriately captured by Option D: it highlights how the new class of politicians utilised the indignation of the masses/workers for the revolution - to topple authority and rise to power - and then stab them in the back by turning to oppress them.

Question 3

Which one of the following best expresses the similarity between American individualist anarchists and free-market liberals as well as the difference between the former and the latter?

Both prioritise individual autonomy; but the former also emphasise mutual dependence, while the latter do not do so.

Both reject the regulatory power of the state; but the former favour a people’s state, while the latter favour state intervention in markets.

Both have sophisticated arguments for capitalism; but the former argue for a morally upright capitalism, while the latter argue that the market is the only morality

Both are founded on the moral principles of altruism; but the latter conceive of the market as a force too mystical for the former to comprehend.

Solution:

We can derive our understanding of these two groups from the following: {"...There are, unsurprisingly, several traditions of individualist anarchism, one of them deriving from the ‘conscious egoism’ of the German writer Max Stirner (1806-56), and another from a remarkable series of 19th-century American figures who argued that in protecting our own autonomy and associating with others for common advantages, we are promoting the good of all. These thinkers differed from free-market liberals in their absolute mistrust of American capitalism, and in their emphasis on mutualism..."}

It is evident that both the groups prioritize individual autonomy; however, the latter does not put emphasis on mutualism. The mistrust of American capitalism is an additional facet marking the difference {but not captured in any of the options}. Option A aptly highlights the difference between the two factions, and is, hence, the correct answer.

Option B: Preferences concerning state configuration or involvement are not discussed in the passage, and hence, we can eliminate this option.

Option C: Perspectives regarding the nature of capitalism are not stated in the passage, and thus, we can effortlessly discard this option

Option D: None of the elements stated in this option can be understood from the passage, and therefore, can be rejected.

Question 4

Of the following sets of concepts, identify the set that is conceptually closest to the concerns of the passage.

Anarchism, State, Individual, Freedom.

Revolution, State, Strike, Egoism.

Revolution, State, Protection, Liberals.

Anarchism, Betrayal, Power, State.

Solution:

One has to be mindful of the question: the set that is conceptually closest to the concerns of the passage.

The passage is clearly about 'Anarchism', and the discussion pertaining to 'Revolution' is a sub-element. This elementary understanding helps us pare down the viable choices to Options A and D. 'Betrayal' is again a minor sub-element used to supplement the core argument concerning the authority of the 'State' and the justified antagonism of the anarchists towards it. Additionally, towards the end of the discussion, individual autonomy and freedom serve as the focal points. Thus, of the two likely choices, Option A is more appropriate and conceptually closest to the concerns of the passage.

Question 5

According to the passage, what is the one idea that is common to all forms of anarchism?

They all derive from the work of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.

They are all opposed to the centralisation of power in the state.

They all focus on the primacy of the power of the individual.

There is no idea common to all forms of anarchism; that is why it is anarchic.

Solution:

Option A: The various derivations of anarchism cannot be associated with Pierre-Joseph Proudhon. We don't have the requisite information to support this claim.

Option B: This has been presented as the motto of every anarchist faction: wherein the state is the enemy {opposition to the centralization of power}. While there are additional beliefs associated with different schools of anarchist thought, this antagonism towards centralised power forms their core.

Option C: This belief has been shown to be limited to individualist anarchism {based on the information from the passage}; cannot be stated as a common attribute.

Option D: This assertion would be a gross understatement; the latter half of the option is especially a bit odd {no such idea has been implied}.

Hence, of the given choices, Option B is the correct answer.