A passage is given with five questions following it. Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given four alternatives. Morality is identified with ethics and symbolizes the doctrine of actions right or wrong. Politics is the notion of expediency and need not always by right. If something is wrong and merely expedient; it cannot be moral. To put it the other way round, whatever is right or just, or born of sound principles and designed to promote the social good, cannot be immoral. There appears a basic confrontation between morality and politics. The great Utilitarian Bentham maintains that, "The greatest happiness of the greatest numbers is the foundation of morals and legislation." However, often it is found that there is a conflict between convictions and principles, on the one hand, and expediency on the other. Thus, morality and politics do not often go hand in hand, for politics is based upon expediency and its foundations are of 'power'. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, said Lord Acton and surely enough,corruption cannot breed morality. While morality establishes justice and fair play, politics, as Sidney Hillman opines, is the science of who gets what, when and why.Morality requires an equitable distribution of wealth, goods and commodities and opportunities while politics reeks of opportunism, of grabbing and seizing whatever you can, irrespective of the needs and claims of others. Morality stands for justice of all, while the politicians are generally selfish and self-seeking. All this goes to show that morality and politics do not go together. Any democracy today merely reiterates the story of a struggle for power, for perpetuating the safe citadel, and for keeping at bay any kind of opposition or criticism. Political parties symbolize nothing more than a bitter rivalry and quest for power by ousting all other rivals. Means and methods are thrown to the winds as long as selfish short-term aims and objectives are duly achieved and fulfilled. On the other hand, morals and morality do not permit the adoption of just any means. Values are the foremost consideration. The traditional values which are in themselves moral, and symbols of rectitude and righteousness, have undergone a radical change in our modern times. Most of the cherished old values and morals are being sacrificed at the altar of circumstances for the sake of expediency and quick gains. The current political atmosphere and scene in most parts of the world is devoid of moral ardour and sound convictions.Opportunism has become a matter of faith with politicians or those having even a slight bent of mind towards politics. Patriotism has come to be identified with politics and well illustrates Johnson's dictum of patriotism being the last refuge of scoundrels.
What do you mean by the line "Politics is the notion of expediency"?
politics proves everything to be right even if it is wrong
Understanding Politics and Expediency from the Passage
The question asks for the meaning of the line "Politics is the notion of expediency" based on the provided passage. To answer this, we need to carefully read the passage and understand how it defines and uses the term "expediency" in relation to politics.
Analysing 'Expediency' in the Context of Politics
The passage introduces morality as the doctrine of right or wrong actions and contrasts it with politics, stating that politics is the notion of expediency and "need not always be right". This immediately suggests that political actions driven by expediency are not necessarily guided by what is morally right.
Further, the passage says, "If something is wrong and merely expedient; it cannot be moral." This reinforces the idea that expediency can involve actions that are wrong. It also highlights a "basic confrontation between morality and politics."
The passage associates politics with power, stating its foundations are of 'power'. It links power to corruption, implying that political actions driven by power and expediency can be corrupt and therefore immoral. The passage also states that while morality requires justice and fair play, politics "reeks of opportunism, of grabbing and seizing whatever you can, irrespective of the needs and claims of others."
Crucially, the passage notes that in politics, "Means and methods are thrown to the winds as long as selfish short-term aims and objectives are duly achieved and fulfilled." This implies that expediency in politics often means justifying actions, even if they involve questionable means or are morally wrong, based purely on whether they achieve desired outcomes (usually selfish ones).
Evaluating the Given Options
Let's examine each option in light of the passage's definition of politics as expediency:
- politics promotes social good: The passage explicitly contrasts politics with morality, which is linked to promoting social good. Politics is associated with selfishness and opportunism, not social good. This option is incorrect.
- politics proves everything to be right even if it is wrong: The passage suggests that expediency involves actions that "need not always be right" and can be "wrong". It also states that means are disregarded to achieve objectives. This strongly implies that political actions driven by expediency are judged based on their outcome or usefulness, rather than their inherent rightness. The pursuit of expedient outcomes can lead to justifying or making actions appear "right" even when they are morally wrong or involve improper means. This option aligns well with the passage's description of expediency prioritizing outcomes over moral correctness.
- politics is an indispensable part of one's life: The passage discusses the nature of politics and its relationship with morality, not its role or necessity in individual life. This option is not supported by the passage.
- politics ensures moral justice: The passage states that morality establishes justice and fair play, while politics is often characterized by self-seeking behaviour. It suggests that morality and politics "do not often go hand in hand." This option contradicts the passage.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the passage, the phrase "Politics is the notion of expediency" describes a political approach where actions are guided primarily by what is practical, advantageous, or useful for achieving specific goals, often short-term and selfish ones, potentially overriding considerations of what is morally right or wrong. Option 2 best captures this idea by suggesting that politics, through expediency, can make actions seem right based on practical outcomes, even if they are fundamentally wrong.
Revision Table: Politics and Morality
| Concept | Politics (based on Expediency) | Morality (Ethics) |
|---|---|---|
| Guiding Principle | Expediency, Power, Opportunism | Right/Wrong Actions, Principles, Justice |
| Focus | Achieving aims, Getting what you can, Self-interest | Social good, Fair play, Equitable distribution |
| Relationship with Right/Wrong | Need not always be right, Can involve wrong actions justified by outcome | Doctrine of actions right or wrong, Stands for justice |
| Compatibility | Often conflicts with morality, Do not often go hand in hand | Confronted by politics based on expediency |
Additional Information: Expediency vs. Principle
The passage highlights a classic tension between expediency and principle, particularly in the realm of politics. Understanding these concepts is crucial:
- Expediency: This refers to what is convenient, practical, or efficient for achieving a particular end, even if it is not morally right. Actions are judged based on their immediate usefulness or advantage. In the context of the passage, political expediency focuses on gaining and maintaining power and achieving goals regardless of the means.
- Principle: This refers to fundamental truths, beliefs, or rules that guide behaviour and decision-making, especially regarding what is considered morally right. Actions guided by principle adhere to a set of values, even if doing so is difficult or inconvenient. Morality, as described in the passage, is based on principles like justice, fairness, and promoting social good.
The conflict arises because what is expedient is not always aligned with what is principled or moral. The passage argues that politics, by leaning heavily on expediency, often sacrifices moral principles for practical gain or power.
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'?
