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A theorist has defined modernization in underdeveloped countries as pa
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30 Jul 2025, 01:45
30 Jul 2025, 01:45
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A theorist has defined modernization in underdeveloped countries as passing from "traditional authority," derived from long-standing custom and the authority of kinship leaders, to "legal-rational authority," based on procedures specifically established for particular goals. No doubt this scheme works well enough in categorizing some societies, but how is one to classify the Ibo society of southeastern Nigeria? In precolonial Ibo society, village decisions were reached in general meetings, and formalized by striking the ground with.an ofo, which is a staff possessed by the head of a kinship group. This might seem to fit the theorist's model, but the Ibo altered this procedure whenever appropriate-for instance, if the senior kinship head forgot his ofo, any other ofo could be used. The Ibo, too, freely revised any customary procedures in order to pursue trade-a flexibility that served them well in the new capitalist economy introduced by colonialism. If this theorist is to be consistent, he must concede that the lbo were "modern" before the first colonist stepped ashore.
The author's primary concern in this passage is to
(A) describe a Nigerian society.
(B) reveal a shortcoming in a theory.
(C) show how one form of authority gives way to another.
(D) explain the interplay of colonialism and capitalism.
(E) prove that Ibo society is modern.
Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.
Which of the following is consistent with the conception of "legal-rational authority," as defined in this passage?
(A) A procedure is acceptable if it is not forbidden by law and is suited to a specified purpose.
(B) A leader has unlimited authority within an area determined by custom.
(C) A practice is correct if is one that has always been used in the past.
The author would agree that the categorization used by the theorist of modernization is
(A) applicable in some cases.
(B) totally without merit.
(C) universally valid.
(D) incapable of being empirically tested.
(E) relevant only to societies that were never colonized.
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Re: A theorist has defined modernization in underdeveloped countries as pa
[#permalink]
03 Aug 2025, 09:18
03 Aug 2025, 09:18
Expert Reply
Question 1:
The author's primary concern in this passage is to
The passage discusses the theorist's simplified categorization of authority into "traditional" (custom-based, kinship leader authority) and "legal-rational" (procedural, goal-oriented authority). The author illustrates that lbo society, with its fluid use of customary procedures (e.g., using any available ofo staff, revising customs to adapt for trade and capitalism), challenges this neat binary classification. The author suggests the lbo were effectively "modern" before colonialism arrived.
- (A) "describe a Nigerian society." - The passage focuses on one society but goes beyond mere description.
- (B) "reveal a shortcoming in a theory." - This is precisely the passage's focus: problematizing the theorist's rigid model.
- (C) "show how one form of authority gives way to another." - The passage contests the idea of a clean transition; it does not simply show this shift.
- (D) "explain the interplay of colonialism and capitalism." - Though these are mentioned, this is not the central concern.
- (E) "prove that Ibo society is modern." - The passage argues the Ibo should be considered modern if the theorist is consistent, but it's more about the theory's limitation than proving this fact.
Best answer: (B) reveal a shortcoming in a theory.
Question 2:
Which of the following is consistent with the conception of "legal-rational authority" as defined in this passage?
Recall from the passage:
- Legal-rational authority is based on procedures specifically established for particular goals.
- The Ibo adapted and revised procedures to suit purposes, indicating flexibility and goaloriented procedures.
Let's evaluate the options:
- (A) "A procedure is acceptable if it is not forbidden by law and is suited to a specified purpose."
- This aligns well because it stresses goal-oriented acceptability and lawfulness.
- (B) "A leader has unlimited authority within an area determined by custom." - This fits "traditional authority," not legal-rational.
- (C) "A practice is correct if it is one that has always been used in the past." - This is traditional authority by custom, not legal-rational procedural basis.
Correct choices: (A) only.
Question 3:
The author would agree that the categorization used by the theorist of modernization is
The passage acknowledges that the theorist's scheme "works well enough in categorizing some societies," but not for the lbo, who do not fit neatly into the binary scheme.
Evaluating options:
- (A) applicable in some cases - This matches "works well enough" for some societies.
- (B) totally without merit - too harsh.
- (C) universally valid - contradicted by the passage.
- (D) incapable of being empirically tested - no suggestion of this.
- (E) relevant only to societies that were never colonized - not argued here.
Best answer: (A) applicable in some cases.
The author's primary concern in this passage is to
The passage discusses the theorist's simplified categorization of authority into "traditional" (custom-based, kinship leader authority) and "legal-rational" (procedural, goal-oriented authority). The author illustrates that lbo society, with its fluid use of customary procedures (e.g., using any available ofo staff, revising customs to adapt for trade and capitalism), challenges this neat binary classification. The author suggests the lbo were effectively "modern" before colonialism arrived.
- (A) "describe a Nigerian society." - The passage focuses on one society but goes beyond mere description.
- (B) "reveal a shortcoming in a theory." - This is precisely the passage's focus: problematizing the theorist's rigid model.
- (C) "show how one form of authority gives way to another." - The passage contests the idea of a clean transition; it does not simply show this shift.
- (D) "explain the interplay of colonialism and capitalism." - Though these are mentioned, this is not the central concern.
- (E) "prove that Ibo society is modern." - The passage argues the Ibo should be considered modern if the theorist is consistent, but it's more about the theory's limitation than proving this fact.
Best answer: (B) reveal a shortcoming in a theory.
Question 2:
Which of the following is consistent with the conception of "legal-rational authority" as defined in this passage?
Recall from the passage:
- Legal-rational authority is based on procedures specifically established for particular goals.
- The Ibo adapted and revised procedures to suit purposes, indicating flexibility and goaloriented procedures.
Let's evaluate the options:
- (A) "A procedure is acceptable if it is not forbidden by law and is suited to a specified purpose."
- This aligns well because it stresses goal-oriented acceptability and lawfulness.
- (B) "A leader has unlimited authority within an area determined by custom." - This fits "traditional authority," not legal-rational.
- (C) "A practice is correct if it is one that has always been used in the past." - This is traditional authority by custom, not legal-rational procedural basis.
Correct choices: (A) only.
Question 3:
The author would agree that the categorization used by the theorist of modernization is
The passage acknowledges that the theorist's scheme "works well enough in categorizing some societies," but not for the lbo, who do not fit neatly into the binary scheme.
Evaluating options:
- (A) applicable in some cases - This matches "works well enough" for some societies.
- (B) totally without merit - too harsh.
- (C) universally valid - contradicted by the passage.
- (D) incapable of being empirically tested - no suggestion of this.
- (E) relevant only to societies that were never colonized - not argued here.
Best answer: (A) applicable in some cases.
gmatclubot
Re: A theorist has defined modernization in underdeveloped countries as pa [#permalink]
03 Aug 2025, 09:18
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