Read the passage and answer the questions:
Globalization and change
Globalisation as a concept fundamentally deals with flows of various kinds — ideas moving from one part of the world to another, capital shunted between two or more places, commodities being traded across borders, and people moving in search of better livelihoods to different parts of the world. The crucial element is the ‘worldwide interconnectedness’ that is created and sustained as a consequence of these constant flows. If globalisation is about the flows of ideas, capital, commodities, and people, it is perhaps logical to ask if there is anything novel about this phenomenon. Globalisation results in an erosion of state capacity, that is, the ability of government to do what they do. All over the world, the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens. A part of the problem has to do with defining economic globalisation itself. The mention of economic globalisation draws our attention immediately to the role of international institutions like the IMF and the WTO and the role they play in determining economic policies across the world. While cultural homogenisation is an aspect of globalisation, the same process also generates precisely the opposite effect. It leads to each culture becoming more different and distinctive. This phenomenon is called cultural heterogenisation.
According to the paragraph, all over the world, the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens.
Option (1) a more minimalist state ... — Correct. Globalisation results in an erosion of state capacity, and the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs only certain core functions such as law and order and the security of its citizens; it withdraws from many of its earlier welfare functions.
Option (2) a more centrist state ... — Incorrect. ‘Centrist’ describes a political position in the middle, between left and right, as when the Congress, with factions of many views, appeared as a grand centrist party. The passage is about how much the state does, not about where it stands between left and right.
Option (3) a more nationalist state ... — Incorrect. A nationalist state puts the interests and pride of its own nation first. Under globalisation the state is doing less, not turning more nationalist.
Option (4) a more anarchist state ... — Incorrect. Anarchism is the idea that there should be no state or government at all. An anarchist state is a contradiction, and the passage says the state still keeps its core functions of law and order and security.
Note: The concept in Option (4), ‘anarchist’, is not in NCERT (2025-26); explained here for the benefit of the students.
NCERT (2025-26): “Political Consequences … At the most simple level, globalisation results in an erosion of state capacity, that is, the ability of government to do what they do. All over the world, the old ‘welfare state’ is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs certain core functions such as the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens. However, it withdraws from many of its earlier welfare functions…” |