Read the following passages and answer the question , Your answers to these items should be based on the passages only. Political theorists no doubt have to take a history of injustice, for example, untouchability, seriously. The concept of historical injustice takes note of a variety of historical wrongs that continue into the present in some form or the other and tend to resist repair. Two reasons might account for resistance to repair. One, not only are the roots of injustice buried deep in history, injustice itself constitutes economic structures of exploitation, ideologies of discrimination and modes of representation. Two the category of historical injustice generally extends across a number of wrongs such as economic deprivation, social discrimination and lack of recognition. This category is complex, not only because of the overlap between a number of wrongs but because one or the other wrong, generally, discrimination tends to acquire partial autonomy from others. This is borne out by the history of repair in India. On the basis of the above passage, the following assumption have been made: 1. Removal of economic discrimination leads to the removal of social discrimination. 2. Democratic polity is the best way to repair historical wrongs. Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
Neither 1 nor 2
Analyzing Historical Injustice and Repair Based on the Passage
The provided passage discusses the concept of historical injustice, noting that political theorists must take seriously past wrongs like untouchability. It highlights that historical injustices persist in various forms and are resistant to repair for two main reasons:
- Their roots are deeply embedded in history, shaping economic structures of exploitation, ideologies of discrimination, and modes of representation.
- The category of historical injustice encompasses a range of wrongs such as economic deprivation, social discrimination, and lack of recognition. This category is complex due to the overlap between these wrongs and because individual wrongs, particularly discrimination, can develop partial autonomy from others.
The passage mentions the history of repair in India as evidence of this complexity and the partial autonomy that discrimination can acquire.
Evaluating Assumptions Based Only on the Passage
We need to examine the two assumptions provided and determine if they are supported by the information given in the passage.
Assumption 1: Removal of economic discrimination leads to the removal of social discrimination.
Let's analyze this assumption against the passage. The passage states that historical injustice involves multiple overlapping wrongs like economic deprivation and social discrimination. However, it explicitly mentions that "one or the other wrong, generally, discrimination tends to acquire partial autonomy from others." This means that social discrimination can, to some extent, exist and persist independently of other forms of injustice like economic deprivation. Therefore, removing economic discrimination does not necessarily guarantee the removal of social discrimination according to the passage.
Based on the passage, this assumption is not valid.
Assumption 2: Democratic polity is the best way to repair historical wrongs.
The passage uses the "history of repair in India" as an example to illustrate the complexity of historical injustice and the partial autonomy of certain wrongs. India is a democratic country. However, the passage does not make any claims about democracy being the best way to repair historical wrongs. It uses India's experience as a case study to support the idea that historical wrongs are complex and resistant to repair, not to endorse democracy as the optimal solution.
Based on the passage, this assumption is not valid. The passage is silent on which type of political system is best for repair.
Conclusion on Valid Assumptions
Based on the analysis of the passage:
- Assumption 1 is not supported because the passage suggests discrimination can have partial autonomy from other wrongs like economic deprivation.
- Assumption 2 is not supported because the passage does not discuss or claim that a democratic polity is the best way to repair historical wrongs; it only uses India's history of repair as an example of the complexity involved.
Therefore, neither of the assumptions is valid based solely on the provided passage.
Revision Table: Passage Analysis vs. Assumptions
| Assumption | Passage Information | Validity Based on Passage |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Removal of economic discrimination leads to removal of social discrimination. | Discrimination tends to acquire partial autonomy from other wrongs. | Not Valid |
| 2. Democratic polity is the best way to repair historical wrongs. | Mentions history of repair in India as an example of complexity, but doesn't claim democracy is the best method. | Not Valid |
Additional Information on Historical Injustice and Repair
Historical injustice is a significant concept in political theory and social justice studies. It refers to injustices committed in the past that continue to have detrimental effects in the present. These effects can be economic, social, cultural, or political. The resistance to repairing historical injustices often stems from their deep institutionalization within society's structures, norms, and power relations.
Understanding the complexity and interconnectedness (and sometimes autonomy) of different forms of injustice, such as economic deprivation, social discrimination, and lack of recognition, is crucial for developing effective strategies for repair. Repairing historical wrongs can involve various approaches, including reparations, affirmative action, institutional reforms, truth and reconciliation processes, and educational initiatives aimed at changing ideologies and modes of representation. The effectiveness of these approaches can vary depending on the specific context and the nature of the historical injustice.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
