Which one of the following statements best reflects the crux of the passage ?
- (a) Trustworthiness cannot be expected in entrepreneurship.
- (b) Trustworthy people are the most vulnerable people.
- (c) No economic activity is possible without being exposed to betrayal.
- (d) Trust is important though it entails risk. ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The passage defines trust as being vulnerable to others and notes that entrepreneurship implies a willingness to expose oneself to betrayal.
• It further describes trust as a 'super-commodity' essential for globalizing behavior and the characteristics of goods and services in a global market.
• The text highlights that trusting conduct involves holding others in good esteem and optimism about their competence.
• Therefore, the central theme is that trust is a critical component of economic and social interactions, even though it inherently involves the risk of vulnerability or betrayal.
• Option (d) accurately captures this balance by stating that trust is important (essential for globalization/market) though it entails risk (vulnerability/betrayal).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Trustworthiness cannot be expected in entrepreneurship.
- The passage states that entrepreneurship implies trust, not that trustworthiness cannot be expected in it.
- (b) Trustworthy people are the most vulnerable people.
- The passage defines trust as being vulnerable, but does not claim that trustworthy people are the most vulnerable people.
- (c) No economic activity is possible without being exposed to betrayal.
- The passage links trust to entrepreneurship and globalizing behavior, but does not make the absolute claim that no economic activity is possible without exposure to betrayal.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.