Which among the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage ?
- (a) The true aim of government is to secure the citizens their social and political freedom. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) The primary concern of government is to provide absolute social security to all its citizens.
- (c) The best government is the one that allows the citizens to enjoy absolute liberty in all matters of life.
- (d) The best government is the one that provides absolute physical security to the people of the country.
Why the answer is (a)
• The passage states the aim of government is to free every man from fear so he can live in security and strengthen his natural right to exist and work.
• It explicitly rejects ruling by fear or demanding obedience, emphasizing that government should not turn rational beings into beasts or puppets.
• The text highlights enabling citizens to develop their minds and bodies in security and employ their reason unshackled.
• This combination of security, freedom from fear, and the ability to use reason aligns with the concept of social and political freedom.
• Therefore, the most logical inference is that the true aim is to secure citizens' social and political freedom, as stated in option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) The primary concern of government is to provide absolute social security to all its…
- The passage advocates for security to enable development and reason, not 'absolute social security' as a primary concern in isolation, which ignores the political and rational aspects emphasized.
- (c) The best government is the one that allows the citizens to enjoy absolute liberty in all…
- The passage explicitly states that government should not turn men into 'beasts or puppets' and implies a structured society where one works without injury to others, contradicting the idea of 'absolute liberty in all matters'.
- (d) The best government is the one that provides absolute physical security to the people of…
- While physical security is mentioned, the passage focuses on the broader scope of freeing men from fear to develop minds and bodies and use reason, making 'absolute physical security' too narrow and missing the political/rational dimension.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.