Proponents of moving civil servants around promise countless benefits. It disperses the risk that a terrorist attack or natural disaster will cripple an entire government. Wonks in the sticks will be inspired by new ideas that walled-off capitals cannot conjure up. Autonomous regulators perform best far from the pressure and lobbying of the big city. Some even hail a cure for ascendant cynicism and populism. The unloved bureaucrats of faraway capitals will become as popular as firefighters once they mix with regular folk.
Beyond these sunny visions, dispersing central-government functions usually has three specific aims: to improve the lives of both civil servants and those living in clogged capitals; to save money; and to redress regional imbalances. The trouble is that these goals are not always realized.
The first aim—improving living conditions—has a long pedigree. After the second world war Britain moved thousands of civil servants to “agreeable English country towns” as London was rebuilt. But swapping the capital for somewhere smaller is not always agreeable. Attrition rates can exceed 80%. . . . The second reason to pack bureaucrats off is to save money. Office space costs far more in capitals. . . .
Agencies that are moved elsewhere can often recruit better workers on lower salaries than in capitals, where well-paying multinationals mop up talent.
The third reason to shift is to rebalance regional inequality. . . . Norway treats federal jobs as a resource every region deserves to enjoy, like profits from oil. Where government jobs go, private ones follow. . . . Sometimes the aim is to fulfil the potential of a country’s second-tier cities. Unlike poor, remote places, bigger cities can make the most of relocated government agencies, linking them to local universities and businesses and supplying a better-educated workforce. The decision in 1946 to set up America’s Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta rather than Washington, D.C., has transformed the city into a hub for health-sector research and business.
The dilemma is obvious. Pick small, poor towns, and areas of high unemployment get new jobs, but it is hard to attract the most qualified workers; opt for larger cities with infrastructure and better-qualified residents, and the country’s most deprived areas see little benefit. . . . Others contend that decentralization begets corruption by making government agencies less accountable. . . . A study in America found that state-government corruption is worse when the state capital is isolated—journalists, who tend to live in the bigger cities, become less watchful of those in power.
According to the passage, colonial powers located their capitals:
- based on political expediency.
- to promote their trading interests.
- where they had the densest populations.
- to showcase their power and prestige.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
In the first paragraph, the lines mention, "In the postcolonial fervour of the 20th century, coastal capitals picked by trade-focused empires were spurned for 'regionally neutral' new ones." This indicates that colonial powers were indeed focused on trade. Therefore, Option 2 is the correct choice.
The “dilemma” mentioned in the passage refers to:
- relocating government agencies to boost growth in remote areas with poor amenities or to relatively larger cities with good amenities.
- keeping government agencies in the largest city with good infrastructure or moving them to a remote area with few amenities.
- concentrating on decongesting large cities or focusing on boosting employment in relatively larger cities.
- encouraging private enterprises to relocate to smaller towns or not incentivising them in order to keep government costs in those towns low.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
This question is derived from the second-to-last paragraph of the passage, where the dilemma of choosing between small towns and larger cities is discussed.
The passage states, "The dilemma is obvious. Pick small, poor towns, and areas of high unemployment get new jobs, but it is hard to attract the most qualified workers; opt for larger cities with infrastructure and better-qualified residents, and the country’s most deprived areas see little benefit."
Considering the options:
Option 2 suggests keeping government agencies in large cities, which does not align with the presented dilemma of choosing between small towns and larger cities.
Option 3 doesn't address the two choices presented in the passage.
Option 4 brings up private enterprise, which is outside the scope of the given dilemma.
Option 1 is the most appropriate answer, as it reflects the essence of the dilemma: whether to relocate to remote areas or to relatively larger cities, representing the choice between option x or option y.
People who support decentralising central government functions are LEAST likely to cite which of the following reasons for their view?
- It reduces expenses as infrastructure costs and salaries are lower in smaller cities
- Policy makers may benefit from fresh thinking in a new environment.
- More independence could be enjoyed by regulatory bodies located away from political centres.
- It could weaken the nexus between bureaucrats and media in the capital.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
In this question, the task is to choose an option that would not be used by people who support the decentralization of central government functions.
Option 1 supports decentralization and has been discussed in the passage, particularly regarding the cost factor. Therefore, it is not the correct choice.
New ideas and autonomy in regulation are mentioned in the second paragraph, supporting decentralization. Thus, options 2 and 3 are also out.
Option 4 is not presented as a reason supporting decentralization in the passage. Therefore, it aligns with the task of choosing an option that would not be used by supporters of decentralization and is the correct choice in this context.
The “long pedigree” of the aim to shift civil servants to improve their living standards implies that this move:
- takes a long time to achieve its intended outcomes.
- has become common practice in several countries worldwide.
- is supported by politicians and the ruling elites.
- is not a new idea and has been tried in the past.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
This question revolves around vocabulary, and "pedigree" is synonymous with "history." Therefore, a "long pedigree" refers to something that has a lengthy history. Consequently, Option 4 is the correct choice.
According to the author, relocating government agencies has not always been a success for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:
- high staff losses, as people may not be prepared to move to smaller towns.
- the difficulty of attracting talented, well-skilled people in more remote areas.
- increased avenues of corruption away from the capital city.
- a rise in pollution levels and congestion in the new locations.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
This question involves a double negative, so it's important to carefully read and simplify it. According to the author, relocating government agencies has not always been successful. The task is to identify the option that is not one of the reasons for the lack of success.
In the passage, the point about corruption is mentioned towards the end, so option 3 is a reason. The passage also discusses staff losses and the difficulty of attracting talent. However, option 4 is not mentioned in the passage and must be the correct choice.
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