CAT Exam  >  CAT Questions  >  Totalitarianism is not always operated by dik... Start Learning for Free
Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.
  • a)
    Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.
  • b)
    Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.
  • c)
    Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.
  • d)
    Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated...
The paragraph begins by stating that totalitarianism need not always be operated by issuing diktats or decrees and banning dissent; it can be brought in force just the same by “suggestion and replication?. How? By setting up mass promo rallies and captivating the audience with the power of their speech, despots can create the “Reich chemistry? without actually engaging in active persecution. The brainwashed society starts to self-censor and self-regulate itself, in line with the ideas implanted in the minds of the people. Dissenters, the paragraph argues, will find it hard to hold on to their intellectual liberty, as the “general drift of the society? will be against them.
Now let us look at the options and see which one sums up the paragraph best.
Option A: Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.
The paragraph we have talks of how totalitarianism is insinuated by suggestion and replication to clamp down on dissent, whereas this option talks of a completely different idea. So we rule this option out.
Option B: Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.
The paragraph we have talks of promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory being used by totalitarian regimes to counter dissent. Option B talks of hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies leading to “persecution of the masses?. Clearly, this is not the idea conveyed in the paragraph and definitely does not summarize it.
Option C: Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.
Option C conveys one of the main ideas of the paragraph-stifling of intellectual liberty- but does not touch upon the other- how despotic establishments cynically exploit this. So it is good to check if there is a better option to summarize the paragraph.
Option D: Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.
Clearly, this option summarizes the paragraph best. Dissent does not need to be put down by authority. By clever insinuation, despotic establishments can steer the society towards self-regulation and self-censorship. Any opposing ideas are bullied into silence by these self-appointed vigilantes.
The question is "Choose the option that summarizes the paragraph best "
Hence, the answer is D
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated...

Understanding Totalitarianism and Intellectual Liberty

Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks to control every aspect of public and private life. While it is often associated with active persecution and censorship, it can also be insinuated through more subtle means.

The Role of Self-Regulation and Self-Censorship

In some cases, totalitarian regimes may not need to actively suppress dissent through overt measures. Instead, they can rely on self-regulation and self-censorship within society to stifle freedom of expression. This can lead individuals to conform to the prevailing ideology out of fear of social ostracism or other consequences.

Impact on Intellectual Liberty

When self-appointed vigilantes or societal pressure are effective in silencing dissent, individuals may find themselves unable to express their intellectual views freely. This can create a chilling effect on intellectual liberty, as individuals may choose to self-censor rather than risk facing backlash or isolation from their community.

In conclusion, while totalitarianism can manifest through active persecution and censorship, it can also operate through more subtle means such as self-regulation and social pressure. In such cases, intellectual liberty may be threatened not by direct repression from authorities, but by the stifling influence of societal norms and expectations.
Attention CAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed CAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in CAT.
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Similar CAT Doubts

Directions: The passage below is followed by a question based on its content. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.One can never know, only surmise, what tragedies, despair and silent devastation have been going on for over a century in the invisible underground of the intellectual professions – in the souls of their practitioners – nor what caIculable potential of human ability and integrity perished in those hidden, lonely conflicts. The young minds who came to the field of the intellect with the inarticulate sense of a crusade, seeking rational answers to the problems of achieving a meaningful human existence, found a philosophical con game in place of guidance and leadership. Some of them gave up the field of ideas, in hopeless, indignant frustration, and vanished into the silence of subjectivity. Others gave in and saw their eagerness turn into bitterness, their quest into apathy, their crusade into a cynical racket. They condemned themselves to the chronic anxiety of a con man dreading exposure when they accepted the roles of enlightened leaders, while knowing that their knowledge rested on nothing but fog and that its only validation was somebody’s feelings.They, the standard bearers of the mind, found themselves dreading reason as an enemy, logic as a pursuer, thought as an avenger. They, the proponents of ideas, found themselves clinging to the belief that ideas were important: their choice was the futility of a charlatan or the guilt of a traitor. They were not mediocrities when they began their careers; they were pretentious mediocrities when they ended. The exceptions are growing rarer with every generation. No one can accept with psychological impunity the function of a Witch Doctor under the banner of the intellect. With nothing but quicksands to stand on – the shifting mixture of Witch-doctor-ism and Attila-ism as their philosophical base – the intellectuals were unable to grasp, to identify or to evaluate the historical drama taking place before them: the industrial revolution and capitalism. They were like men who did not see the splendor of a rocket bursting over their heads, because their eyes were lowered in guilt. It was their job to see and to explain – to a society of men stumbling dazedly out of a primeval dungeon – the cause and the meaning of the events that were sweeping them faster and farther than the notion of all the centuries behind him. The intellectuals did not choose to see.The men in the other professions were not able to step back and observe. If some men found themselves leaving their farms for a chance to work in a factory, that was all they knew. If their children now had a chance to survive beyond the age of ten (child mortality had been about fifty percent in the pre-capitalist er

Directions: The passage below is followed by a question based on its content. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.Each of the forms of intellectual property has its place within an organization. Copyrights protect the form of expression of ideas, trademarks protect the identification of the source of ideas, and patents and trade secrets protect the application of ideas. Because a trade secret may be a patentable invention, tension may exist between the options of keeping an invention a trade secret or filing a patent application. Using a trade secret may eliminate the possibility of patenting an invention. On the other hand, the publication of a patent destroys any trade secrets which it discloses.India implemented a strengthened copyright law in May 1995, creating one of the most modern systems for copyright protection in the developing world. In the year 2000, certain amendments to the Indian Copyright Act substantially weakened the Acts once-strong software protection. These exceptions allow decompilation of a computer program, permit reproduction of a computer program so as to observe its functionality, and allow multiple copies of a computer program for personal, non-commercial use. The United States believes that the exceptions provided in the amendments are too broad and will lead to increased piracy. Article 13 of the TRIPS Agreement allows WTO Members to limit intellectual property protection as long as the exceptions or limitations do not unreasonably prejudice the right holders interests or conflict with the normal exploitation of the work. Other amendments in 2000, designed to meet TRIPs obligations, increased the period of protection of performers rights from 25 years to 50 years, and extended the provisions of the Act to broadcasts and performances made in other countries only on a reciprocal basis.Scientists, artists, authors, inventors and many others create new and unique ideas which result in products of different kinds - from complex machinery to household gadgets, novels and films for entertainment and mathematical or social concepts that changes the way people think and understand events and situations. These are products of peoples minds and imaginations. Human progress depends on such developments. Without them life would not be as interesting and comfortable.The inventor, in turn, must have a proportional right on such products of his mind, as much as he has such rights in physical property that he owns. At the same time human progress requires that such inventions and discoveries are disseminated and used widely. Inevitably these inventions are far more common in rich nations than in poor ones. The market for such things is larger, the rewards are greater and the facilities for developments of this nature are incomparably better.In order to progress, poor countries must have access to these inventions. In this century many countries have got access by imitation and usually without reward to the inventor. There is always a conflict between the need to provide incentives for discovery and invention and the need to limit this incentive both to a time period and on cost. In this way, the rights to intellectual property are looked at in a different way from physical property by society.Copyrights relate to the right of the author or producer to have proprietary rights on his writings, films or other expressions. Trademarks are proprietary names given by manufacturers to their wares which identify their offering as their own and not any other similar offering; patents relate to the ownership right in a process of manufacture and also to the end product.India has very strong laws relating to copyright. In the case of trademarks, the law is strong but there have been some restrictions, especially relating to the use of foreign brand names, and more so when royalty has to be paid for their use. These restrictions have been lifted.The enforcement system through the police and judiciary is weak, and the penalties imposed on offenders are not severe. Violators do not stop their theft of other peoples trademarks or copyright even after they have been convicted. Convictions are difficult to achieve even if the offender has been identified. However, many owners in India have developed their own policing systems and have often been able to successfully follow through cases.Q.This is a passage on

Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:It is very pleasant to entertain a new idea, a new notion or concept to think about and to look at the world with. Indeed, it can have the exciting and intoxicating feel of discovering hidden treasure.Unfortunately, most ideas are bad - wrong, misleading, dangerous, or of very limited use or relevance. Even more unfortunately, that doesnt prevent them from gaining our interest and enthusiasm. The problem is that getting an idea is just a matter of understanding it (or thinking that you do) and this is just as easy in the case of bad ideas as it is for good ones. In contrast, checking the quality of ideas by interrogating the arguments for them is laborious and distinctly unrewarding - and so avoided as much as possible. The result is that the world is drowning in bad ideas and their dreadful consequences, from conspiracy theories to religions to academic bloopers like critical race theory.The attraction of ideas is that they promise to help us make sense of the world. But we are too ready to accept ideas for what they seem to offer, without checking to see if the offer is real. Indeed they do allow us to see the world differently. But while that shift in perspective generates a feeling of insight, that is not in itself evidence that we are now seeing things as they truly are. We confuse the oomph of intellectual novelty, that comes from seeing things differently, with actual significance or value (an entire industry called the news also feasts on this cognitive bias). We allow ideas psychological effects on us rather their logical qualities to determine how we receive them.Unfortunately, given the way human minds work, bad ideas are more likely to have these attractive psychological effects than good ones. Consider the perennial attraction of conspiracy theories (and most religions), which offer an alternative simplified way of making sense of the strange and unwelcome things happening in the world by turning them into a meaningful story with ourselves at the centre. This has the benefit of reducing the cognitive burdens of understanding the world. In addition, the structure of these theories is distinctly flattering to believers: since the conspiracists are trying so hard to fool us, we must be important after all; since we can see through their ploys, we must be more powerful than we seemed.But besides these well-known benefits, novelty plays a particularly significant role in the attractiveness of conspiracy theories and other kooky ideas. It is not merely comforting (a kind of intellectual junk foo d) but intellectually exciting to come to think that the world is run by Bill Gates or NASA or whoever. It makes you see everything from a fresh perspective, which makes all sorts of new connections and meanings jump out to you. This in turn gives you the feeling of gaining genuinely new and important knowledge, of enlightenment: of seeing further and truer than you did before and than all those other people still stuck in their dark cave.To sum up. New ideas make our brains light up, but that phenomenology of enlightenment easily misleads us about their value. We need quality control and therefore we need to work through the impartial arguments for the exciting new ideas we come across; but we dont because that would be way more work and way less fun. The result is that our minds are abuzz with things we think we know, and which feel important to know, but which probably arent either.Q.Which of the following is NOT one of the effects associated with believing in conspiracy theories?

Directions: In each of the questions below, a short passage is given outlining a point. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.Jatin: Developing countries like ours need to invest in education and job creation. They need to address the lack of opportunities in order to improve their economy and reduce migration. Our country produces so many engineering and MBA graduates but only a small percentage of them find jobs. It should therefore be no surprise that many migrate overseas for opportunities.Lalit: Lack of opportunities in one's own country is not the only reason why educated persons migrate. Our country has a conservative culture which many of the educated persons feel alienated from, so they seek other countries whose societies are more open and free-thinking than ours.Which of the following facts, if true, would weaken Lalit's argument?1. Intellectual migrants do not necessarily discard a traditional value to replace it with a corresponding western value.2. Intellectuals need stimulation, organisation, freedom, and recognition that they usually struggle to find in their countries of origin.3. Even if there is some alienation from their own native culture these migrants are still travelling to a much more alien culture, which makes it unlikely that alienation from native culture is responsible for migration.4. Making a start in encouraging entrepreneurship and gender identity is not likely to be enough to make a county attractive when compared against countries that are much further down the path.5. If there is really no freedom in developing countries, then these migrants will be asylum seekers and refugees not true intellectual migrants by choice.

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:The concept of utopia has long captivated human imagination, representing an ideal society where everything functions harmoniously. Coined by Sir Thomas More in his 1516 book Utopia, the term has roots in the Greek words ou (not) and topos (plac e), essentially meaning nowhere. Despite this, the pursuit of utopian visions has significantly influenced political, social, and cultural movements throughout history.Utopian societies are often characterized by a shared vision of an ideal life, which typically includes equality, justice, and happiness for all. However, the practical realization of these societies has often proven elusive. Historical attempts at creating utopian communities have frequently ended in failure, largely due to the complexity of human nature and the challenges of governance. These experiments, though, have provided valuable insights into the dynamics of social organization and the human yearning for a perfect society.In literature and thought, utopian concepts have served as both a critique of existing societal flaws and a blueprint for a better world. From Platos Republic to Aldous Huxleys Brave New World, these works highlight the tension between the ideal and the real, questioning whether true utopia is attainable or if its destined to remain an unachievable dream. Moreover, the line between utopia and dystopia is often blurred, as the means to achieve a perfect society can sometimes lead to totalitarianism or an oppressive regime.Today, the quest for utopia has taken new forms, with technology and innovation playing a central role. The idea of a digital utopia, where technology solves all of humanitys problems, is gaining traction. However, this too is met with skepticism, as concerns about privacy, surveillance, and loss of individuality arise. The enduring appeal of utopia lies not in its attainment, but in its power to inspire progress and motivate societal change.Q. Which of the following statements best captures the essence of the passage?

Top Courses for CAT

Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2024 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for CAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for CAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Totalitarianism is not always operated by diktat. It can be insinuated by suggestion and replication. Dissent does not have to be banned if it is countered by orchestrated mass promo rallies and hypnotizing oratory. Despotic establishments do not need to turn Hitlerian; all they need to do is to let the Reich chemistry work. Self-regulation and self-censorship will click in. Then any dissident who wants to retain his intellectual liberty will find himself thwarted by the general drift of society rather than by active persecution.a)Totalitarianism is generally operated by undermining freedom of expression through active persecution and censorship.b)Hypnotizing oratory and promo rallies can effectively counter dissent and lead to persecution of the masses.c)Self-regulation and self-censorship in societies stifle freedom of expression.d)Intellectual liberty does not have to be repressed by authority if there are self-appointed vigilantes to bully it into silence.Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice CAT tests.
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Top Courses for CAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev