Historians have long thought that America was, from the beginning, pro

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 267, Date : 14-Aug-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

Historians have long thought that America was, from the beginning, profoundly influenced by the Lockean notion of liberty, with its strong emphasis on individual rights and self-interest. Yet in his recent book, historian J. G. A. Pocock argues that early American culture was actually rooted in the writings of Machiavelli, not Locke. The implications of this substitution are important: if Pocock’s argument is right, then Americans may not be as deeply individualistic and capitalistic as many believe. Pocock argues that out of the writings of antiquity Machiavelli created a body of political thinking called “classical republicanism.” This body of thought revived the ancient belief that a human being was by nature a citizen who achieved moral fulfillment by participating in a self-governing republic. Liberty was interpreted as a condition that is realized when people are virtuous and are willing to sacrifice their individual interests for the sake of the community. To be completely virtuous, people had to be independent and free of the petty interests of the marketplace. The greatest enemy of virtue was commerce. This classical republican tradition is said by Pocock to have shaped the ideology of America during the eighteenth century. Many events in early American history can be reinterpreted in light of Pocock’s analysis. Jefferson is no longer seen as a progressive reader of Locke leading America into its individualistic future; instead Jefferson is understood as a figure obsessed with virtue and corruption and fearful of new commercial developments. Influenced by Pocock, some historians have even argued that a communitarian and precapitalist mentality was pervasive among the eighteenth-century farmers of America.

Yet Pocock’s thesis and the reinterpretation of the history of eighteenth-century America engendered by it are of dubious validity. If Americans did believe in the ideals of classical virtue that stressed civic duty and made the whole community greater than its discrete parts, then why did the colonists lack a sense of obligation to support the greater good of the British Empire? If indeed America has not always been the society of individual rights and self-interest that it is today, how and when did it be come so? Classical republicanism is elitist, and it certainly had little to offer the important new social groups of artisans and shopkeepers that emerged in America during the eighteenth century. These middle-class radicals, for whom John Wilkes and Thomas Paine were spokesmen, had none of the independence from the market that the landed gentry had. They were less concerned with virtue and community than they were with equality and private rights. They hated political privilege and wanted freedom from an elite-dominated state. In short, the United States was created not in a mood of classical anxiety over virtue and corruption, but in a mood of liberal optimism over individual profits and prosperity.   1 
 A 
 1. Which of the following best states the author’s main point?

(A) Classical republicanism could not have been the ideological basis of eighteenth-century America.
(B) Classical republicanism is an elitist theory that was rejected by eighteenth-century artisans and shopkeepers.
(C) Pocock understates the importance of the contributions Machiavelli made to the formation of early American culture.
(D) Pocock fails to capture the great extent to which eighteenth-century Americans were committed to a sense of civic duty.
(E) Pocock’s account of Jefferson is incompatible with Jefferson’s commitment to a Lockean notion of liberty.

2 
 E 
 2. The conception of liberty that, according to Pocock, formed the basis of America’s eighteenth-century ideology is most clearly exhibited by which of the following individuals?

(A) The merchant who rebuilds the damaged sidewalk in front of his store in order to avoid potential lawsuits by customers who might fall there
(B) The professor who allows her students to help her design the content and the format of the courses she teaches
(C) The doctor who bows to government pressure and agrees to treat a small number of low-income patients at no cost
(D) The lawyer who argues that a state law prohibiting smoking in public places unfairly encroaches on the rights of smokers
(E) The engineer whose business suffers as a result of the personal time and energy he devotes to a program to clean up city streets

3 
 C 
 3. According to the author, eighteenth-century American artisans and shopkeepers had little reason to

(A) support the political efforts of Thomas Jefferson
(B) reject the ideals of classical virtue
(C) embrace the principles of classical republicanism
(D) renounce the political objectives of the British Empire
(E) worry about increasing profits and maintaining general prosperity

4 
 D 
 4. The author mentions which of the following as a fact that weakens Pocock’s argument about the ideology of eighteenth-century America?

(A) Jefferson’s obsession with virtue and corruption and his fear of commercial development
(B) The precapitalist mentality that was pervasive among farmers in early America
(C) The political decline of artisans and shopkeepers in eighteenth-century America
(D) The colonists’ lack of commitment to support the general welfare of the British Empire
(E) The existence of political privilege in early American society

5 
 C 
 5. The passage suggests that, if classical republicanism had been the ideology of eighteenth-century America, which of the following would have resulted?

(A) People would have been motivated to open small businesses and expand commercial activity.
(B) Citizens and politicians would not have been encouraged to agitate for increased individual rights.
(C) People would have been convinced that by pursuing their own interests they were contributing to the good of the group.
(D) The political and social privileges enjoyed by the landed gentry would have been destroyed.
(E) A mood of optimism among people over individual profits and prosperity would have been created.

6 
 A 
 6. The author implies that Pocock’s argument about the ideology of eighteenth-century America would be more plausible if the argument explained which of the following?

(A) How a society that was once committed to the ideals of classical virtue could be transformed into a society of individual rights and self-interest
(B) How Thomas Jefferson could have become obsessed with individual rights and with prosperity and profits
(C) Why classical republicanism had such wide appeal among those who were free from the demands of the marketplace
(D) Why many colonists who embraced classical republicanism were reluctant to place their individual interests above those of Great Britain
(E) Why the landed gentry in eighteenth-century America should have believed that moral fulfillment is achieved by participating in a self-governing republic

7 
 C 
 7. According to the passage, Pocock’s theory suggests that many eighteenth-century Americans believed that increasing commercial activity would

(A) force the landed gentry to relinquish their vast holdings
(B) enrich the nation and increase individual rights
(C) cause some people to forfeit their liberty and virtue
(D) create a mood of optimism about national prosperity
(E) strengthen the political appeal of middle-class radicals

8 
 A 
 8. The author is primarily concerned with

(A) refuting a proposed thesis about eighteenth-century America
(B) analyzing a long-established interpretation of American history
(C) criticizing a set of deeply held beliefs about early American ideology
(D) reconciling opposing interpretations of eighteenth-century American ideology
(E) defending a novel reading of the ideology of eighteenth-century America

Harsh2111s · Answer

VeritasKarishma   GMATNinja 
Kindly refer below lines from the from passage.
Pocock argues that out of the writings of antiquity Machiavelli created a body of political thinking called “ classical republicanism. ” This body of thought revived the ancient belief that a human being was by nature a citizen who achieved moral fulfillment by participating in a self-governing republic.  Liberty was interpreted as a condition that is realized when  people are virtuous and are willing to sacrifice their individual interests for the sake of the community .

Option B seems correct and better option than C.
B shows people thinks about self interest first.
Please explain.

RajatGMAT777 · Answer

Hi Fellow GMAT takers and Experts,
Could you guys please explain Q6 and why A is the correct option, I did actually marked option C

Thanks and Regards,
Rajat Shrivastav

bM22 · Answer

Hi  RajatGMAT777 ,

Please refer this answer by expert here:
 https://gmatclub.com/forum/historians-have-long-thought-that-america-was-from-the-beginning-pro-139829.html#p2392463

Let me know if you still have doubts.
Thanks.

Saasingh · Answer

For Q5 even though I myself chose C over B, I can justify why B might be a better choice.

5. The passage suggests that, if classical republicanism had been the ideology of eighteenth-century America, which of the following would have resulted?

(B) Citizens and politicians would not have been encouraged to agitate for increased individual rights.
(C) People would have been convinced that by pursuing their own interests they were contributing to the good of the group.

Okay so basically the essence of republicanism is that people think of greater good of community over their own good. Sacrifice of self per se.
But I see that paragraph 1 never refuses that people do not think about individual rights. It in facts states that people do really think about individual rights. But the goal of fighting for their individual rights is that if they are free, they can help the community.

"To be completely virtuous, people had to be independent and free of the petty interests of the marketplace."

Very subtle point.

Thus option B is wrong. Because even if they fight for their freedom, this fact doesn't imply that they are fighting for personal reasons. As stated, to be able to help others, one must be "free", "independent" .. for if you ain't free yourself, how are you gonna help the community?

C on the other hand, to have that republicanism ideology, people must be clear in their mind that their fight for individual rights is "for the greater good of the community"-------> precisely what option C says.

Oof, that was a tough one. I definitely had a big brain exercise trying to justify option B. Also, I know the OA so I am able to justify it. Totally different game to be 100% sure with such questions in your first go. It is very subtle but clearly the essence behind the writing.

Hope it helps. Kudos appreciated.

rounakkedia172 · Answer

GMATNinja   GMATNinjaTwo

I am having problem with question 2.
I was down to option C and E but eventually selected E.
Not much of the good reason i guess, since CR - elitist, thought government forcing Docs for free checkup - greater good.

Please help thanks.

Ilhomjon98 · Answer

Hi  GMATNinja

Could you please explain why C is correct for question 5?

The passage says that :

Liberty was interpreted as a condition that is realized when people are virtuous and are willing to  sacrifice their individual interests  for the sake of the community.

the passage says that people should sacrifice their individual interests, whereas (C) says people pursue their interests.

Since C seemed to contradict the passage, I eliminated it.

Thank you very much beforehand!

bM22 · Answer

Hi  rounakkedia172 ,

Let me know if this helps.

The ideology that, according to Pocock, formed the basis of America’s eighteenth-century was: "Liberty was interpreted as a condition that is realized when people are virtuous and are willing to sacrifice their individual interests for the sake of the community. To be completely virtuous, people had to be independent and free of the petty interests of the marketplace. The greatest enemy of virtue was commerce."

Now we need to look for an option that would satisfy the above checks.

Incorrect, as the doctor is freely treating the patients only because of government pressure, implying he is not truly virtuous, as per the above conditions of liberty.

Correct, as here is an engineer who is suffering losses, but still devoting time and energy for helping the community. 
Thus is better when compared to C.

Thanks.

GMATNinja · Answer

Take a look at  this post , and let us know if that doesn't help?

ricardorr04 · Answer

14.5 mins to get thru everything, including reading the passage.

got 7/8 correct - got confused on question #5...

mSKR · Answer

Hi AndrewN GMATNinja I am not sure what are your comments on Q5. I gave up this question

Another Point: Shall I interpret it as: Historians argued that communitarian and precapitalistic mentality was pervasive. . In other words they argued because they didn't agree that communitarian and precapitalist mentality was pervasive among the eighteenth-century farmers. Otherwise why would they argue if they can agree that communitarian and precapitalist mentality was pervasive among the eighteenth-century farmers. Second point : Influenced by Pocock, some historians have even argued . It means historians are in agreement with Pocock. And, Pocock words implies that capitalist mentality was not in minds of people. But sacrifice individual rights over prosperity of community was the main thing. Thirdly , ( YET) Next passage starts with : Yet Pocock’s thesis and the reinterpretation of the history of eighteenth-century America engendered by it are of dubious validity It means change in language. Now the para talks about against Pocock theory .So previous lines must be in favour of Pocock . Is my understanding correct or Am i doing some blunder? Please give your opinion . Thanks!

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 5 
 
The word “argue” does not necessarily mean to “disagree.” In this instance, “to argue” means “to give reasons or cite evidence in support of a theory.” For that reason, we can interpret the sentence you referenced as follows:

Influenced by Pocock, some historians have even  asserted  (or  stated ) that a communitarian and precapitalist mentality was pervasive among the eighteenth-century farmers of America.

In other words, these historians, like Pocock, believed the capitalist mindset was not pervasive and even went as far as to assert that farmers had a precapitalist/communitarian mentality.

The first paragraph introduces Pocock’s view that America was influenced by Machiavelli. In the second paragraph, the author describes his/her doubts about Pocock’s view.

I hope that helps!

soondoobu · Answer

what are your thoughts on q5 for this RC passage? B seems pretty popular and I still think that it is the right answer - can't seem to find any supporting reason for C being the correct answer.

MartyTargetTestPrep   VeritasKarishma

KarishmaB · Answer

Yes, (B) does work better. Request the OP to post the solution and explanation from the original source.

Basshead · Answer

The posts defending choice C in this thread for Q5 don't really make any sense.

For what its worth, I googled Q5 and found the answer to be B on other forums.

prathamesh7 · Answer

Not getting the exact explanation for Q2, Q5,Q6. I stuck between 2 options.
plz provide appropriate explanation

Nis20 · Answer

Any  Explanations  why C is correct for  Q5  and not B?

krittapat · Answer

GMATNinja   egmat 
 veritasKarishma 
Could you please help explain why option B in question 5 is wrong?
I don't think choice C is supported by any info in the passage.

Also, Could you please help explain question 2 in details?
I don't have any clue to solve this question.

shubham28896 · Answer

Hi, Please explain how the answer for Question 5 is C. I can't relate to the explanations given above.

I have the same issue that, passage describes that sacrificing own interests would lead greater good of the society. The how will persuing own interests will help in greater good of society.

DmitryFarber · Answer

Yeah, Q5 definitely can't be C. C is describing more of a capitalist way of thinking--people contribute by pursuing their own self-interest. That's the opposite of what we want here.

B isn't really a good answer--we don't know for sure that people wouldn't also have been encouraged to gain more rights for themselves--but it's at least consistent with the mindset the author associates with classical republicanism.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Historians have long thought that America was, from the beginning, pro

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