Read the following passage and answer the question: An essential function of…
2022
Read the following passage and answer the question:
An essential function of hegemony involves convincing people to support the existence of a social system that does not support them in return. Marginalised groups do not often protest or revolt against ideologies that overwhelmingly support privileged groups because, on some level, they consent to being dominated. This statement prompts an immediate question: Why would anyone consent to such an arrangement? While dominant ideologies may reflect the desires and interests of socially powerful groups, for these ideologies to remain dominant or hegemonic, they must also feature an additional promise. It is in the best interest of the marginalized groups to accept these beliefs as well. Put another way, members of socially powerful groups act to have their worldview accepted as the universal way of thinking, and members outside these groups come to accept some of these ideologies because they appear beneficial in some way. This is referred to as a process of spontaneous consent because it is typically informal or unnoticed. The best way to understand the spontaneous consent of hegemony is through an example. A number of ideological components within a nation’s higher education system may not be in the best interests of students. One dominant belief suggests that college students should pay for their own education. Despite being affected by the belief, they accept it, and the ideology survives. When such consent fails, however, the concept of hegemony also explains how dominant ideologies evolve to contain this failure through a process of flexible appropriation. In such a situation, it is likely that dominant cultural institutions will absorb any challenging beliefs, integrate them into the hegemonic matrix, and re-establish the previous norm. As a result, hegemonic systems never go away. They simply change form through a process of constant give and take between social groups. Hegemonic ideological structures maintain control in part through the never-ending process of integration and appropriation of marginalised ideologies.
Despite hegemony, why do marginalised people not protest?
Answer: D. Because of the promise that the dominant ideology is in their best interest. — ConceptReading-comprehension questions are answered from the passage’s stated causal links, not from assumptions added by the reader. Identify the effect…
- A.
Because they are too weak.
- B.
They are not bothered being dominated.
- C.
Privileged groups forcefully suppress them.
- D.
Because of the promise that the dominant ideology is in their best interest.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Reading-comprehension questions are answered from the passage’s stated causal links, not from assumptions added by the reader. Identify the effect asked about, then trace the passage’s explicit explanation for that effect.
Application
The effect is that marginalised people often do not protest. The passage says dominant ideologies promise that accepting their beliefs is also in marginalised groups’ best interest. Because the ideology appears beneficial, people informally accept it; the passage calls this spontaneous consent.
Contrast
Weakness proposes inability to resist, but the passage does not use lack of strength as its causal explanation.
Indifference proposes that domination causes no concern, whereas the passage describes acceptance because the ideology appears beneficial.
Forceful suppression proposes direct coercion, while the passage explains an informal and often unnoticed form of consent.
A promise of benefit follows the passage’s stated chain: apparent advantage leads to spontaneous consent and continued acceptance.
Result
Therefore, marginalised people do not protest because the dominant ideology carries a promise that accepting it serves their interests.