There is no necessary relationship between any specific form of community and the modern form of the state. … But because community identities can act as the basis for nation-formation, already existing states see all forms of community identity as dangerous rivals. … However, suppressing cultural diversity can be very costly in terms of the alienation of the minority or subordinated communities whose culture is treated as 'non-national'. … So encouraging, or at least allowing, cultural diversity is good policy from both the practical and the principled point of view.
Some lines are left out of the passage. Besides alienation, what other risk of suppressing cultural diversity do the left-out lines name?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → It can intensify the very loyalties it seeks to weaken
Option (1) It can intensify the very loyalties it seeks to weaken — Correct. The left-out line warns that the very act of suppression can provoke the opposite effect: community identity becomes more intense. The state tries to weaken rival loyalties, and its own pressure makes people hold on to them harder.
Option (2) It can deepen economic inequality between communities — Incorrect. Economic inequality between communities is a gap in income and wealth. The costs of suppression given here are social ones: alienation of minorities and a stronger community identity.
Option (3) It can set communities competing for scarce resources — Incorrect. Competition for scarce resources is rivalry over jobs, land or funds. The left-out line is about what suppression does to identity itself, and it warns that identity grows stronger.
Option (4) It can slow the economic development of the nation — Incorrect. Slower economic growth would be a cost to the economy. The risks of suppressing diversity given here concern people's sense of belonging: alienation and a stronger community identity.
NCERT (2026-27): “Communities, Nations and Nation-States … |