The passage seems to suggest that
- (a) a leader foresees his future position
- (b) a leader is chosen only by a free country
- (c) a leader must see that his country is free from despair
- (d) despair in a country sometimes leads to dictatorship ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The passage contrasts leaders in free countries, who are selected for outstanding character and ability, with dictators who often rise to power through chance or the 'unhappy state' of their country.
• The phrase 'unhappy state of his country' is synonymous with despair, instability, or crisis.
• The text explicitly states that dictators often reach power 'very often through the unhappy state of his country,' implying a causal link between national distress and the rise of dictatorship.
• Therefore, the passage suggests that despair or an unhappy state in a country can facilitate the emergence of a dictator.
• This aligns directly with option (d), which states that despair in a country sometimes leads to dictatorship.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) a leader foresees his future position
- The passage states that it is possible to foresee that a leader will reach such a position, not that the leader himself foresees his future position.
- (b) a leader is chosen only by a free country
- The passage discusses the qualities of leaders in free countries but does not claim that leaders are chosen exclusively by free countries.
- (c) a leader must see that his country is free from despair
- The passage does not impose a requirement on leaders to ensure their country is free from despair; it only describes how dictators may rise during such times.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.