With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made: 1. Equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in the multiple transactions of society from a position of confidence. 2. Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy. 3. Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realised even in a democracy. 4. Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary. Which of the above assumptions are valid?

Passage

Inequality violates a basic democratic norm: the equal standing of citizens. Equality is a relation that obtains between persons in respect of some fundamental characteristic that they share in common. Equality is, morally speaking, a default principle. Therefore, persons should not be discriminated on grounds such as race, caste, gender, ethnicity, disability, or class. These features of human condition are morally irrelevant. The idea that one should treat persons with respect not only because some of these persons some special features or talent, for example skilled cricketers, gifted musicians, or literary giants, but because persons are human being, is by now part of commonsense morality.

Question

CSATEasyPrelims 2021Comprehension

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

Equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in the multiple transactions of society from a position of confidence.
Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy.
Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realised even in a democracy.
Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary.

Which of the above assumptions are valid?

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The passage says inequality violates the equal standing of citizens, which is a basic democratic norm. If equal standing is violated, people cannot engage in society on equal, confident footing. So Assumption 1 aligns with the passage’s core idea.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The passage states inequality violates a democratic norm, but it does not go as far as saying democracy will not survive because of inequality. That is an extrapolation beyond what is given.

Statement 3 is incorrect: This is counterintuitive to the theme of the discussion of the passage. Also, the effort of the passage is the removal of inequalities.

Statement 4 is correct: The passage emphasizes: