Paragraph: A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters.
“A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters. For his supporters will push him to disaster unless his opponents show him where the dangers are. So if he is wise he will often pray to be delivered from his friends, because they will ruin him. But, though it hurts, he ought also to pray never to be left without opponents; for they keep him on the path of reason and good sense. The national unity of free people depends upon a sufficiently even balance of political power to make it impracticable for the administration to be arbitrary and for opposition to be revolutionary and irreconcilable.”
Q1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?
(a) Without opposition parties, the administration in a democracy gets to become more responsible.
(b) Democracy needs to have revolutionaries in opposition to keep the government alert.
(c) Rulers in a democracy need the support of opposition for their political survival.
(d) In a democracy, the opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance.
Q2. With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. In a democracy, a strong opposition is required only if the Head of Government is indifferent.
II. The more aggressive the opposition, the better is the governance in a democracy.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
UPSC Prelims 2025 CSAT
Q1. Correct Option: (d) In a democracy, the opposition is indispensable for the balance of political power and good governance.
Explanation: The passage emphasizes the importance of opposition in a democracy. It clearly states that a wise statesman learns more from opponents than from supporters, as opponents highlight dangers and keep the leader on the path of reason and good sense. The author further argues that national unity and good governance depend upon a balanced political power structure, where the administration cannot become arbitrary and the opposition does not become revolutionary. Thus, option (d) accurately captures the critical message conveyed by the author.
Q2. Correct Option: (d) Neither I nor II
Explanation: Let’s examine each assumption separately:
Assumption I: “In a democracy, a strong opposition is required only if the Head of Government is indifferent.”
- The passage does not suggest that opposition is needed only when the Head of Government is indifferent. Rather, it argues that opposition is always necessary to maintain balance, reason, and good governance, irrespective of the attitude or competence of the Head of Government. Thus, assumption I is invalid.
Assumption II: “The more aggressive the opposition, the better is the governance in a democracy.”
- The passage emphasizes the importance of opposition but does not imply that aggression or hostility from the opposition necessarily leads to better governance. Instead, it advocates for a balanced opposition that prevents arbitrary administration and revolutionary opposition. Aggression or hostility is not mentioned as beneficial. Thus, assumption II is also invalid.
Therefore, neither assumption I nor assumption II is valid according to the passage. Hence, option (d) is correct.
