The Tokugawa period Japan (1603-1867) serves as a laboratory for organ

Question

The Tokugawa period Japan (1603–1867) serves as a laboratory for organizational behavior historians for the same reason that Iceland works for geneticists isolation removes extraneous variables. The Tokugawa shoguns brought peace to a land of warring feudal lords. To preserve that tranquility, the Tokugawa shogunate forbade contact with the outside world, allowing only a few Dutch trading ships to dock at one restricted port. Domestically, in pursuit of the same goal, the social order was fixed; there were four classes—warriors  , artisans, merchants, and farmers or peasants—and social mobility was prohibited. The ensuing stability and peace brought a commercial prosperity that lasted nearly two hundred years.

However, as psychologists, social historians, and Biblical prophets have all observed, in varying ways, humans inevitably fail to anticipate unintended consequences. In the Tokugawa period, the fixed social hierarchy placed the samurai on top; they and the government were essentially supported by levies on the peasantry, as the other two classes were demographically and economically inconsequential. However, prosperity brought riches to the commercial classes and their numbers burgeoned. Eventually, their economic power dwarfed that of their supposed superiors, the samurai. Simultaneously, the increasing impoverishment of the samurai adversely affected the finances of the peasantry and the government. By the early 19th century, this imbalance between social structure and economic reality eroded the stability of the society. This condition, in conjunction with increasing pressure for access from foreigners, such as Admiral Perry in 1853, led to the collapse of the shogunate in 1867. In short, the success of this imposed order led to its undoing through consequences that were beyond the ken of the founders.    1 
 1. The primary objective of the passage is to

(A) compare the Tokugawa period to modern Iceland
(B) demonstrate the folly of imposing a social order
(C) show how American naval power ended Japan’s isolation
(D) illustrate how a society can model a common human failing
(E) argue that commerce is more successful than militarization

2 
 2. Which of the following would provide further support for the main reason cited for the decline of the Tokugawa period?

(A) a samurai becomes a successful merchant
(B) a successful artisan becomes a samurai
(C) a samurai must work as a bodyguard for an artisan
(D) a peasant revolt against the samurai
(E) a military invasion by American marines

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 125 Date: 28-Apr-2023
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

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RahulJain293 · Answer

Sajjad1994  could you please help with Q1?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The primary objective of the passage is to

Explanation

The author states that the Tokugawa period in Japan was a model for patterns of organization, and writes,  as psychologists, social historians, and Biblical prophets have all observed, in varying ways, humans inevitably fail to anticipate unintended consequences.  This certainly qualifies as a  “common failing.”

(A)  is incorrect, as Iceland is only mentioned briefly as an analogy.

(B)  is wrong both because the author does not express a point of view and because the issue is the result rather than the imposition of a fixed order.

(C)  addresses a very minor detail, not the purpose.

(E)  is a comparison that the passage does not address and therefore cannot be inferred.

Answer: D

Ayushi2399 · Answer

Could someone explain why B is not the correct answer for Q1.
Also, please explain Q2.

RahulJain293 · Answer

Ayushi2399   arnkaprx  I can give a shot at Q2

The overall passage says the social order that is introduced (Samurai at top and Peasants serving them etc..) does not sustain.

Q2 asks us 'Which of the following  would provide further support  for the main reason cited for the decline of the Tokugawa period?'

- We see the decline due to the structure put in place and eventually the commercial class taking over which shifted balance of power in their favour.

Let's look at the options

(A) a samurai becomes a successful merchant --> Ok but does not tell provide further support in the decline.
(B) a successful artisan becomes a samurai --> again no support. It might just be good if people are prospering by getting into a better class maybe?
(C) a samurai must work as a bodyguard for an artisan --> Correct. This tells that the power of Samurai shifted wherein despite being at the top of food chain became a bodyguard to an artisan. Hence provides 'further support'
(D) a peasant revolt against the samurai --> ok but this supports the hierarchy and does not give a reason for decline 
(E) a military invasion by American marines --> one invasion cannot be a reason for decline of Tokugawa 'period'

Elevated_person · Answer

Sajjad1994  
please help me with official answer of Q-2?

arkaja11 · Answer

@ Elevated_person 
I can try explaining Q2

In second paragraphy its mentioned :
 
 The samurai, who were supposed to be at the top of the social hierarchy, were financially supported by levies on the peasants. 
 Prosperity brought wealth to the commercial classes (artisans and merchants), increasing their economic power significantly compared to the samurai. 
 The economic power shift led to the impoverishment of the samurai, affecting the peasantry and the government's finances.  
Hence, a samurai, despite being at the top of the social order, is required to work for an artisan is strengthening the fact the social order collapsed leading to the end of the Tokugava peiod

yashika001 · Answer

Your solution confuses the whole social order .

djangobackend · Answer

in Question 2 - 
"However, prosperity brought riches to the commercial classes and their numbers burgeoned." - this is stated as the primary reason for the shift - that their numbers increased. B mentions a way in which number of commercial class members are increasing, isn't it correct?

Carcass · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION QUESTION #2

The author states that the inversion of the financial and social rankings led to the decline of Tokugawa society. Choices (A) and (B) are both incorrect because the passage states that social mobility was prohibited. Choice (D) is incorrect because the main reason cited for the decline has to do with specific decisions made by the ruling clan, decisions that had unforeseen consequences. A drought is an act of nature. Choice (E) is also incorrect; while the author does mention foreign pressure as leading to the collapse of the government, the question concerns the decline of the society, which began long before Admiral Perry’s arrival.

mkeshri185 · Answer

For que 2 , i observed the main reason for decline was instability and if some revolt happens it surely indicates instability in society so it can support the question.

The Tokugawa period Japan (1603-1867) serves as a laboratory for organ

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The Tokugawa period Japan (1603-1867) serves as a laboratory for organ

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