Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 44 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2025

Passage - There has been no democracy that has grown economically without corporate capitalism. It helps in modernizing the economy and enabling the transition from rural to urban, and agriculture to industry and services, which are inevitable with growth. It generates jobs — and there is no other way to fix a country’s unemployment challenge without a further impetus to private business. Big companies can operate on a large scale and become competitive both domestically and externally. A vibrant corporate capitalist base also leads to additional revenues for the State — which in turn, can be used for greater welfare for the marginalized and creating a more level playing field in terms of opportunities.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the critical message conveyed by the author of the passage?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (A)

The passage highlights corporate capitalism as indispensable for the economic growth of democratic nations. It details how this system facilitates economic modernization, transitions from agrarian to industrial and service sectors, generates employment, and enhances state revenues. These revenues, in turn, can be utilized for social welfare initiatives, thereby supporting the foundational elements of a robust democratic economy. Option (A) accurately encapsulates this central argument by linking corporate capitalism to both economic growth and the functioning of a democracy.

Incorrect Options:

  • Option (B): The passage primarily focuses on the economic outcomes and benefits of corporate capitalism, such as growth, modernization, and employment, rather than explicitly stating its imperative role in achieving the political objectives of a modern state.
  • Option (C): This statement exaggerates the author's message. The passage emphasizes the necessity of corporate capitalism for economic growth and development, not for the fundamental economic survival of a state. The author discusses growth and progress, not an existential threat without it.
  • Option (D): The passage portrays corporate capitalism as a crucial driver for economic prosperity within a democratic framework, suggesting that democracies have not achieved economic growth without it. However, it does not assert a mutual dependence for the continued existence of both democracy and corporate capitalism, but rather a one-way influence where capitalism aids democratic economic success.