With the proliferation of electronic technologies in the latter part

Question

With the proliferation of electronic technologies in the latter part of the twentieth century, many aspects of cultural practice have been redefined. The eradication of physical boundaries that limit discourse and information access has had profound effects upon the manner in which we conduct democracy. Yet, opinions strongly differ over whether or not the growth of electronic networks will result in expanded democracy. On one side of the debate are anti-utopians who fear that with the intrusion of the Internet into many facets of life, personal freedom will be impeded and the existing rift between the "haves" and "have-nots" in society will grow. On the other side, many 'cyber-utopians' believe that new technologies can eliminate the democracy of elected representatives with which so many people are dissatisfied. The Internet, they say, will allow for a true participatory democracy in which citizens can govern themselves without the interference of bureaucrats and legislators. Neither of these theories by themselves can fully address the role of democracy in the age of information. As debates about censorship and encryption have shown, government regulation of the Internet can result in violations of the basic rights of speech set forth in the constitution of the United States. Yet, groups that preach ‘Big Brother’ theories of paranoia tend to neglect the fact that new technologies can help balance the injustices of traditional power found in a centralized government. At the same time, the likelihood of doing away with the present system of democracy in favor of complete and pure self-governance seems impossible, and likely undesirable. Both arguments about the future of the way in which discourse will occur highlight the inherent relationship between communication and democracy. Perhaps a more useful model for the study of this dynamic can be found in the model of the public sphere proposed by Jorgen Habermas. In this realm, free and diverse equals come together to deliberate and discuss pertinent issues without the impediment of external coercion. The ensuing dialogue transpires in a profoundly democratic forum. The dispensing of traditional hierarchies that occurs on the Internet appears to make possible the type of categories necessary for Habermas ‘ideal speech situation to occur.

However, postmodern critics indicate that the autonomous individual no longer exists in a world where our identities are constructed as much for us as by us. And indeed, much of the postmodern notion of self seems to fit closely with reconfigurations of the subject brought on by electronic technologies. The question that arises then is, how might the reconfiguration of communication enabled by the Internet work to create a new form of 'cyber-democracy’ that better represents citizens' interests?

However, postmodern critics indicate that the autonomous individual no longer exists in a world where our identities are constructed as much for us as by us. And indeed, much of the postmodern notion of self seems to fit closely with reconfigurations of the subject brought on by electronic technologies. The question that arises then is, how might the reconfiguration of communication enabled by the Internet work to create a new form of 'cyber-democracy’ that better represents citizens' interests?    1 
 1. According to the passage, the 'cyber-utopians' mentioned in the passage would most likely be in favor of which of the following innovations?

A. Every new legislation would be voted by every registered voter on the Internet
B. Government would increase the regulation of the Internet to include a curtailing of politically biased messages
C. Government would decrease the regulation of the Internet including regulation of politically biased messages
D. Discourse in legislative assemblies would be broadcast over the Internet
E. New technologies would gradually replace all forms of democracy

2 
 2. The passage supports which of the following statements about government regulation of the Internet?

A. Government regulation of the Internet can result in infringements upon citizen’s constitutional rights of free speech
B. Government regulation of the Internet can ensure against infringements upon citizen’s constitutional rights of free speech
C. Government regulation of the Internet will make pure self-governance possible
D. Government regulation of the Internet will promote new technologies that can help balance the injustices of traditional power
E. Government regulation of the Internet will eradicate physical boundaries that limit discourse and information

3 
 3. The author is primarily concerned with

A. Advocating the use of the electronic technologies to improve democracy
B. Challenging the assumptions on which a theory of modern democracy is based
C. Describing events leading to the discovery of democratic uses of electronic technologies
D. Explaining the importance of electronic technologies to modern politics
E. Examining the relationship between Internet communication and democracy

4 
 4. According to the passage, which of the following is considered by postmodern critics to be a threat to the notion of self?

A. The interference of bureaucrats and legislators.
B. The proliferation of electronic technologies.
C. Reconfigurations of the subject brought on by electronic technologies.
D. Traditional hierarchies that occur on the Internet.
E. The impediment of external coercion.

Source: GMAT 4 Full tests

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. According to the passage, the 'cyber-utopians' mentioned in the passage would most likely be in favor of which of the following innovations?

Explanation

For any specific purpose question, as is this question, always try to read one sentence before the highlighted text and 3-4 sentences after the highlighted text in order to understand completely. Let's read the related part:

On one side of the debate are anti-utopians who fear that with the intrusion of the Internet into many facets of life, personal freedom will be impeded and the existing rift between the "haves" and "have-nots" in society will grow. On the other side, many ' cyber-utopians ' believe that new technologies can eliminate the democracy of elected representatives with which so many people are dissatisfied.  The Internet, they say, will allow for a true participatory democracy in which citizens can govern themselves without the interference of bureaucrats and legislators.

The bold part is the actual text in which the answer is hidden

Now let's read the answer choices one by one.

A. Every new legislation would be voted by every registered voter on the Internet

This is correct! This is true according to the portion of the passage we have read above. According to the passage, 'cyber-utopians' believe that through using the Internet, there could be a true participatory democracy, meaning that all citizens, not just elected representatives could make legislative decisions.

B. Government would increase the regulation of the Internet to include a curtailing of politically biased messages

This is not discussed and hence is out of scope.

C. Government would decrease the regulation of the Internet including regulation of politically biased messages

Same as  (B)  this is out.

D. Discourse in legislative assemblies would be broadcast over the Internet

This is distorting the facts written in the passage

E. New technologies would gradually replace all forms of democracy

This is extreme answer choice, we cannot assume anything by ourself and we need to keep within the boundries of the passage.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

3. The author is primarily concerned with

Difficulty Level:   Medium

Explanation

This is a primary purpose question so answer choices that cover a maximum of the passage in the true direction will be the answer, We cannot go back to the passage to read again, so using POE will work best here. Let's read the answer choices one by one.

A. Advocating the use of the electronic technologies to improve democracy

Advocating is the problem here, by advocating means is that the author has concluded something in the favor of something which is not the case, the question mark at the very end of the passage shows that something still needs an answer and something is there we are not sure about. So nothing has been advocated here by the author

B. Challenging the assumptions on which a theory of modern democracy is based

This seems way too far than being an answer to a primary purpose question for the passage. Out

C. Describing events leading to the discovery of democratic uses of electronic technologies

This is going in the wrong direction which is not the direction of the passage. Out

D. Explaining the importance of electronic technologies to modern politics

Hmm! this seems connected but one problem with the option is that this is not considering the idea of democracy which is widely discussed in the passege.

E. Examining the relationship between Internet communication and democracy

This is correct! Catch up the main point in the true direction also consider the democracy. This is the answer.

Answer: E

mkeshri185 · Answer

I did not get why A is the answer. A has several flaws :-

1. It has used extreme wording which makes it very vulnerable for being wrong.
2. It is nowhere talked about 'voting'.
3. It is nowhere talked that people will be 'registered online' what if they give vote via some cyber cafe or other way which uses IT

there are so many flaws in this answer choice how can you say this is correct?? Please correct me and answer my questions on the basis of these 3 points.

Thank you

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi mkeshri185

The language of  choice (A)  is extreme because the question need it. The passage explicitly states that the cyber-utopians' vision is  extreme.  They don't want to  modify  the current system; they want to  replace it.  The passage says they want to  "eliminate the democracy of elected representatives."  They advocate for a  "true participatory democracy in which citizens can govern themselves without the interference of bureaucrats and legislators."  Hence, the  "extreme"  wording of option A is precisely what the cyber-utopians are proposing.

Yes! the exact word  "vote"  isn't used in the passage, the concept is undeniably present. The passage describes the goal as a  "participatory democracy"  where citizens  "govern themselves."  The passage contrasts their idea with the current  "democracy of elected representatives."  The primary job of those representatives is to vote on legislation. To eliminate them, you must replace their function. The most straightforward replacement is  direct public voting  on that same legislation. Hence voting is an inferred idea.

The question is asking for an innovation the cyber-utopians would favor, not a fully fleshed-out policy plan. The phrase  "on the Internet"  is used in the answer choice as a shorthand for the  "electronic technologies"  and  "Internet"  that the passage establishes as the cyber-utopians' proposed platform. The phrase  "registered voter"  is simply a standard term for an eligible citizen in a democracy. The cyber-utopians would certainly believe that the same citizens who are registered to vote now would be the ones participating in their new online system. The method of registration might change, but the body of participants (the electorate) would remain the same.

nihilqui · Answer

Hi,

Can somebody explain Question No 4?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. According to the passage, which of the following is considered by postmodern critics to be a threat to the notion of self?

Explanation

The passage states:

"However, postmodern critics indicate that the autonomous individual no longer exists in a world where our identities are constructed as much for us as by us. And indeed, much of the postmodern notion of self seems to fit closely with reconfigurations of the subject brought on by electronic technologies."

This means that postmodern critics argue that the autonomous self is threatened because identities are now constructed both by us and for us (implying external influences, such as electronic technologies). They link this to  "reconfigurations of the subject brought on by electronic technologies."  In other words, electronic technologies are reshaping how we perceive ourselves, which undermines the idea of an autonomous individual.

A.  is mentioned in the context of cyber-utopians wanting to avoid it, but not directly related to postmodern critics.

B.  is the broader context, but the specific threat is the reconfigurations caused by these technologies.

C.  This directly matches the passage: postmodern critics point to these reconfigurations as undermining the autonomous self.

D.  The passage says the Internet dispenses with traditional hierarchies, which is seen as positive for democracy, not a threat to self.

E.  is mentioned as something avoided in Habermas's public sphere, but not directly tied to postmodern critics.

Answer: C

With the proliferation of electronic technologies in the latter part

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With the proliferation of electronic technologies in the latter part

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