Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions.
According to the political scientist Francis Fukuyama, three features define populism. First populists embrace economic policies that feel good to voters in the short run but prove to be unsustainable in the long run. They rely heavily on personal charisma and a direct connection with the people. This makes them naturally suspicious of institutions, which they usually try to undermine.
And finally, when a populist refers to the people, he usually means a subset of the nation’s population. Racial or religious minorities often find themselves excluded from this definition. To this you might add another characteristic shared by contemporary populists – a fraught relationship with their countries traditional metropolitan elites, including gatekeepers in the legacy media. It’s no coincidence that Trump rails constantly against “fake news”, or that much of the London media dismissed Boris as a conniving clown fundamentally unfit for high office.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no trouble meeting these criteria. When it comes to economic policy he has relied heavily on welfare schemes to boost his popularity. In some parts of India, it is hard to locate a voter who has not benefited personally form one of Modi’s schemes, or is not related to someone who has. Toilets, houses , cooking gas, light bulbs, bank accounts , small business loans, and health insurance constitute just a partial list of the Modi cornucopia of freebies and subsidies.
Does it feel good for voters? Evidently, going by Modi’s thumping re-election earlier this year. Is it sustainable? With economic growth slowing to a meagre 4.5%, the fiscal deficit ballooning, and so-called tax terrorism by rapacious taxmen driving businesses into their shell, it’s hard to see how.
Nobody can deny that Modi exudes the kind of raw political charisma that defines the most successful populists. This imbues many of his followers with a cult like quality. They may have spent ten years spouting one set of views on privatisation or deficit-financed welfare spending or the need for simplicity in taxation. But as both an emotional and a practical matter their allegiance to Modi comes first. What he does is what they believe in.
Question for Passage Based Questions: Logical Reasoning - 3
Try yourself:Which of the following statements is not an attribute of a ‘populist’ figure.
Explanation
According to the opening paraphrase of the passage option A, B and C define the characteristics of a populist figure , option D is clearly mentioned as an exception to the representation of the people to a populist personality elected from the democratic elections.
Often the minorities get excluded and therefore option D provides the better answer.
Report a problem
Question for Passage Based Questions: Logical Reasoning - 3
Try yourself:Consider the following statement from the passage and answer accordingly.
Assertion(A) : Populists embrace economic policies that feel good to voters in the short run but prove to be unsustainable in the long run.
Reason (R) : The fiscal deficit is pushed forward due to subsidised welfare schemes and economic growth is hampered.
Explanation
The author clearly mentions that it is not sustainable for the economy to withstand freebies and welfare schemes in the long run as the fiscal deficit is ballooned and the growth rate is hampered.
So option C is the right answer as the reason explains the assertion.
Report a problem
Question for Passage Based Questions: Logical Reasoning - 3
Try yourself:According to the passage which of the following imply negative aspect for the economy despite having a populist leader?
Explanation
Refer to the lines 19-22 of the passage where all the options imply negative aspect for the economy as the populist leaders in order to create vote bank tend to create welfare schemes out of ballooning fiscal deficit , taxmen lynching the businesses and thus a negative growth is fostered.
So option D is the right answer.
Report a problem
Question for Passage Based Questions: Logical Reasoning - 3
Try yourself:According to the passage PM Narendra Modi fits into the populist tag. What course of actions has led PM to become a populist figure?
Explanation
The passage clearly explains that PM has gained a populist figure with a campaign of welfare schemes to the massses [Refer the lines 13-18 of the passage].
Therefore option A is the clear answer. Other options can be rejected.
Report a problem
Question for Passage Based Questions: Logical Reasoning - 3
Try yourself:Which statement from the passage explains the argument that what Modi does his followers believe in ?
Explanation
According to the closing lines of the passage the followers of Modi get inspired by him irrespective to their emotions and practical matters. They tend to support him in whatever he does. So closest answer is their allegiance to the populist figure.
Other options are also good answer but regarding the objectivity option D stands out a better answer.
Report a problem
