Read the following passage and answer the questions : An essential function of…
2022
Read the following passage and answer the questions :
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 world view 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.
The passage explains
Answer: D. The survival of dominant ideology against the challenges — CONCEPTA passage’s central idea is the broad claim that unifies its major explanations and examples. It should cover the whole argument, not merely one…
- A.
The forced absorption of the marginalized into the mainstream
- B.
The establishment of the ideology of the marginalised
- C.
The defects of spontaneous consent
- D.
The survival of dominant ideology against the challenges
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
CONCEPT
A passage’s central idea is the broad claim that unifies its major explanations and examples. It should cover the whole argument, not merely one supporting detail or one stage of the process.
APPLICATION
The passage first explains how hegemony gains spontaneous consent: people may accept dominant beliefs because those beliefs appear beneficial. It then explains flexible appropriation: when consent fails, dominant institutions absorb challenging beliefs and restore the earlier norm. Both mechanisms show how a dominant ideology adapts and continues under challenge.
CONTRAST
Forced absorption of marginalised people is too narrow and adds direct coercion; the passage discusses informal consent and the absorption of challenging beliefs.
Establishment of marginalised ideology reverses the direction described; marginal ideologies are integrated into the existing hegemonic matrix.
Defects of spontaneous consent covers only one mechanism, whereas the passage also explains flexible appropriation after consent fails.
Survival of dominant ideology against challenges includes both consent and appropriation and therefore covers the passage as a whole.
RESULT
Therefore, the passage explains the survival of dominant ideology against challenges.