UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 134: International Relations and Current Affairs

What was the main reason for a great civil strife in Argentina recently?

aEthnic conflict between the native Red Indian tribes and others

bEconomic crisis due to huge public debt

cThe issue of using native languages as medium of instruction in schools

dClashes between government troops and secessionist groups

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Argentina's crisis of 2001-02 was an economic one: a huge public debt, a recession, the collapse of the currency's peg to the US dollar and the freezing of bank deposits led to riots, the resignation of President de la Rua in December 2001, and a default on the debt. Ethnic conflict, language disputes and secession are not features of Argentine politics.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Argentina had no major conflict of native tribes behind the crisis.
(b) Correct: economic crisis due to huge public debt.
(c) The language of instruction was not the cause.
(d) No secessionist group fought the government.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.