The author's viewpoint can be best summed up in which of the following statements ?
- (a) The conflict between the claims of State and individual remains unresolved. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Anarchy and chaos are the obvious results of democratic traditions.
- (c) Old values, ideas and traditions persist despite the dynamic nature of human society.
- (d) Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech is not in the interest of society.
Why the answer is (a)
• The passage opens by stating that the conflict between man and the State is as old as State history.
• It explicitly notes that although attempts have been made for centuries to adjust these competing claims, the solution seems to be still far off.
• The author attributes this lack of resolution to the dynamic nature of human society, where old values yield to new ones.
• The mention of chaos and anarchy serves as a hypothetical consequence of absolute individual freedom, not as a description of current democratic traditions.
• Therefore, the central argument is that the tension between State and individual claims remains an unresolved issue.
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Anarchy and chaos are the obvious results of democratic traditions.
- The text states that absolute freedom leads to chaos, not that democratic traditions inherently result in anarchy.
- (c) Old values, ideas and traditions persist despite the dynamic nature of human society.
- The passage explicitly states that old values and ideas constantly yield place to new ones, contradicting the claim that they persist.
- (d) Constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech is not in the interest of society.
- The author argues against absolute freedom to prevent chaos, not against the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech itself.
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.