UPSC Prelims 2012 · CSAT

Question 54: Reading Comprehension

Passage beginning “In a typical Western liberal context,…” — Passage – 2 · as printed by UPSC

According to the passage, what does “deepening of democracy” mean in the Western context ?

aConsolidation of group and class identities.

bDemocratization translated as greater involvement of people.

cDemocratization as greater involvement of ‘atomized’ individuals in the public sphere.

dNone of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context.

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

The passage contrasts two contexts. In the typical Western liberal setting, deeper democracy means individuals entering public life as separate, atomized persons, which strengthens liberal values. In India, by contrast, people enter it as members of communities, drawing on religion or caste. So the Western meaning is the greater involvement of atomized individuals in the public sphere, option (c). Option (a) describes the Indian pattern.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Wrong. Consolidating group identities is the Indian pattern, not the Western one.
(b) Wrong. This is how the passage describes democratization in India, where people are involved as communities.
(c) Right. In the Western liberal context democracy deepens through involvement of atomized individuals.
(d) Wrong. Option (c) is correct.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper II (CSAT), Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.