Question

Under the same fact-situation as in Q.155, several alternatives (not necessarily all) would, if true, strengthen the argument. One of them is the most forceful. Identify it.

• A. Espionage activities by enemy nations, which contribute to political turmoil, can be prevented only if the government is very strong.
• B. The philosophy behind any economic policy—‘push from bottom, press from top’—must be followed to mitigate violence, and it is not being followed.
• C. Political turmoil is due to a corrupt establishment.
• D. Man is, by nature, a beast.

Hint:

To spot the “most forceful” strengthener, pick the option that directly fills the causal/remedial gap identified by the author rather than adding a new thesis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question involves identifying which statement, if true, would most effectively strengthen the argument given the fact-situation mentioned in Q.155. The options provided offer different scenarios that may contribute to the argument's validity:

1. Espionage activities by enemy nations can only be prevented with a strong government. This implies a need for a robust governmental framework but does not directly address internal political turmoil.
2. The philosophy behind any economic policy—‘push from bottom, press from top’—must be followed to mitigate violence, and it is not being followed. This suggests that the lack of proper economic policy is directly linked to the political turmoil, making it a strong contender.
3. Political turmoil is due to a corrupt establishment. While it indicates a cause of turmoil, it simply states the obvious without offering a solution or strength to the main argument.
4. Man is, by nature, a beast. This is a philosophical claim and does not clearly link to the argument about political turmoil or government policy.

The most forceful option that strengthens the argument is:

The philosophy behind any economic policy—‘push from bottom, press from top’—must be followed to mitigate violence, and it is not being followed.

Reason: This option highlights a specific policy issue directly correlated with mitigating violence and the ensuing political turmoil, thus providing a concrete point that strengthens the argument.