The fundamental relationship in United States politics at the state and city levels is that between client and patron: favors...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
Source: Official Guide
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The fundamental relationship in United States politics at the state and city levels is that between client and patron: favors are sought, and the politician who can promise to supply them is supported. This same relationship operates at the congressional level as well.
One may wish that the client-patron relationship did not operate in Congress, but the existence of the relationship must be acknowledged if one is to understand the basic issues of morality in politics. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine how, without some such relationship, a national legislature could operate at all in a country in which the interests that have to be reconciled are so many, so scattered, and so diverse.
There are bargains to be struck, and Congress is the place where the multifarious local and even private interests of the entire nation are brought into an orderly relationship. Representatives and senators spend much of their time buttonholing colleagues to ask for support in a committee or subcommittee for appropriations or measures that are desirable for their particular districts or states, in return for the promise that similar favors will be given in the future.
The principle of amicitial, the responsible friendship that was a sacred agreement for the Roman politician, must supersede the principles of the client-patron relationship. Favors are still involved in amicitial, but they are political in the truest sense. A candidate for the presidency who forms an amicitial with a governor or a mayor enters an alliance in the strictest political meaning: a president does not buy a mayor, any more than a mayor buys a president, with cash payments.
The political price that is paid is seen in terms not only of the immediate benefits that it will bring, such as the winning of an election, but of the opportunity that it provides to continue, after the election, the pursuit of political objectives that are beyond mere ambition.
Ultimately, there can be no morality in politics—and no possibility of it—if those who hold the highest positions have no sense of amicitial and of its meaning in the process of politics.
Ques. 1/2
It can be inferred that a political favor "in the truest sense" is one that
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The fundamental relationship in United States politics at the state and city levels is that between client and patron: favors are sought, and the politician who can promise to supply them is supported. | What it says: In US local politics, people ask politicians for favors, and they support the politicians who can deliver those favors. What it does: Introduces the central concept - the client-patron relationship in politics Source/Type: Author's opinion/assertion about US political systems Connection to Previous Sentences: This is the opening statement - establishes the foundation concept Visualization: Think of it like: 100 voters need a new bridge → They support Mayor Johnson who promises to build it → Mayor Johnson gets their votes in exchange Reading Strategy Insight: This is a clear, simple opening statement. The author immediately defines the key concept rather than being vague. |
| This same relationship operates at the congressional level as well. | What it says: The client-patron relationship also happens in Congress, not just local politics. What it does: Extends the scope of the concept from local to federal level Source/Type: Author's assertion Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds directly on Sentence 1 - takes the SAME concept and expands its application. NOT introducing new complexity, just showing the concept applies more broadly. Visualization: Local level: Voters ↔ Mayor for bridge Federal level: Voters ↔ Congressman for highway funding Reading Strategy Insight: Feel confident here - this is simple expansion, not new information to track. |
| One may wish that the client-patron relationship did not operate in Congress, but the existence of the relationship must be acknowledged if one is to understand the basic issues of morality in politics. | What it says: You might not like this system, but you have to accept it exists if you want to understand political morality. What it does: Acknowledges potential criticism while defending the importance of understanding this relationship Source/Type: Author's argument/reasoning Connection to Previous Sentences: This directly reinforces the previous two sentences by saying "Even if you don't like it, this relationship IS real and important." The author is strengthening the foundation, not adding complexity. Visualization: Person thinking: "I hate that politics works this way" → Author: "But this IS how it works, and you must understand it" Reading Strategy Insight: The author is defending their main concept against potential objections. This reinforces rather than complicates the argument. |
| Indeed, it is difficult to imagine how, without some such relationship, a national legislature could operate at all in a country in which the interests that have to be reconciled are so many, so scattered, and so diverse. | What it says: Actually, Congress probably couldn't function without this client-patron system because America has too many different competing interests. What it does: Provides justification for why the client-patron relationship is necessary Source/Type: Author's reasoning/argument Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on Sentence 3's defense by explaining WHY the system exists. The author is making the same argument stronger, not introducing new concepts. Visualization: Imagine Congress without favor-trading: • 435 representatives with different priorities • No way to get anyone to cooperate • Gridlock on every issue What We Know So Far: Client-patron relationships exist in US politics (local and federal), we must acknowledge them, and they're probably necessary What We Don't Know Yet: How exactly this system works in practice |
| There are bargains to be struck, and Congress is the place where the multifarious local and even private interests of the entire nation are brought into an orderly relationship. | What it says: Congress is where deals get made to organize all the different interests across the country. What it does: Describes Congress's functional role in managing the client-patron system Source/Type: Author's characterization of Congress Connection to Previous Sentences: This restates Sentence 4 in simpler terms. Where Sentence 4 was abstract ("difficult to imagine how..."), this sentence gives us the concrete function: Congress makes deals. Visualization: Think of Congress as a marketplace: • 50 states each want different things • Hundreds of interest groups • Congress = the place where they negotiate trades Reading Strategy Insight: Feel relieved here - the author just simplified their previous abstract point into concrete terms. |
| Representatives and senators spend much of their time buttonholing colleagues to ask for support in a committee or subcommittee for appropriations or measures that are desirable for their particular districts or states, in return for the promise that similar favors will be given in the future. | What it says: Congresspeople spend lots of time asking each other for votes on bills that help their home areas, promising to return the favor later. What it does: Provides concrete example of how the client-patron relationship actually works in Congress Source/Type: Author's description of congressional behavior Connection to Previous Sentences: This gives us the SPECIFIC example of the general concept we've been discussing. This is the "how" after establishing the "what" and "why." Visualization: Rep. Smith from Texas approaches Rep. Jones from Ohio: "Please vote for my hurricane relief bill → I'll vote for your manufacturing tax credit next month" Reading Strategy Insight: This is pure clarification - the author is showing us exactly what they mean instead of staying abstract. You should feel MORE confident about the concept now, not less. |
| The principle of amicitial, the responsible friendship that was a sacred agreement for the Roman politician, must supersede the principles of the client-patron relationship. | What it says: A higher principle called "amicitial" (responsible friendship from Roman politics) should replace the client-patron relationship. What it does: Introduces a contrasting concept - a better alternative to client-patron relationships Source/Type: Author's prescription/recommendation Connection to Previous Sentences: This is the first major shift in the passage. After describing what IS (client-patron), the author now introduces what SHOULD BE (amicitial). This is a contrast, not a continuation. Visualization: Current system: Politician A helps Politician B → expects specific favor back Better system: Politician A helps Politician B → based on principled friendship What We Don't Know Yet: How exactly amicitial works or differs from client-patron relationships Reading Strategy Insight: Recognize this transition word "must supersede" - the author is shifting from description to prescription. |
| Favors are still involved in amicitial, but they are political in the truest sense. | What it says: Amicitial still involves favors, but these favors are genuinely political (not just personal trades). What it does: Clarifies that amicitial isn't completely different from client-patron - it's a refined version Source/Type: Author's explanation Connection to Previous Sentences: This builds on Sentence 7 by explaining what amicitial actually involves. The author is helping us see the connection between the two concepts. Visualization: Client-patron favors: "Vote for my bridge → I'll vote for your road" Amicitial favors: "Let's work together because we both believe in infrastructure investment" Reading Strategy Insight: The author is making the new concept less intimidating by showing it's not completely foreign to what we already understand. |
| A candidate for the presidency who forms an amicitial with a governor or a mayor enters an alliance in the strictest political meaning: a president does not buy a mayor, any more than a mayor buys a president, with cash payments. | What it says: When a presidential candidate makes an amicitial alliance with local leaders, nobody is buying anyone with money - it's a true political partnership. What it does: Provides concrete example of amicitial in action and clarifies what it's NOT Source/Type: Author's example and clarification Connection to Previous Sentences: This gives us the specific example of Sentence 8's general principle, just like Sentence 6 did for the client-patron concept. Visualization: Presidential candidate meets with Mayor of Chicago: NOT: "I'll give your city $50 million if you endorse me" BUT: "We share policy goals - let's work together" Reading Strategy Insight: Notice the parallel structure: the author gave us abstract concept → concrete example for BOTH client-patron and amicitial. |
| The political price that is paid is seen in terms not only of the immediate benefits that it will bring, such as the winning of an election, but of the opportunity that it provides to continue, after the election, the pursuit of political objectives that are beyond mere ambition. | What it says: In amicitial, the "cost" isn't just winning elections, but the chance to pursue meaningful political goals together after the election. What it does: Explains what politicians "pay" in amicitial relationships and emphasizes long-term purpose over short-term gain Source/Type: Author's elaboration Connection to Previous Sentences: This continues the example from Sentence 9, explaining what the alliance actually costs and achieves. Visualization: Alliance between presidential candidate and mayor: Short-term: Both win their elections through cooperation Long-term: Both work together on shared policy agenda for years Reading Strategy Insight: The author is deepening our understanding of the same example, not jumping to new concepts. |
| Ultimately, there can be no morality in politics—and no possibility of it—if those who hold the highest positions have no sense of amicitial and of its meaning in the process of politics. | What it says: Political morality is impossible unless top leaders understand and practice amicitial. What it does: Provides the author's final conclusion about why amicitial is essential for moral politics Source/Type: Author's concluding argument Connection to Previous Sentences: This circles back to Sentence 3's mention of "morality in politics" and provides the author's ultimate answer to that concern. Visualization: Political leadership without amicitial → purely transactional → no moral foundation Political leadership with amicitial → principled cooperation → moral politics possible What We Know Now - Complete Picture: • Client-patron relationships exist and are necessary but insufficient • Amicitial (principled political friendship) is the better alternative • Morality in politics requires amicitial at the highest levels Reading Strategy Insight: The passage has come full circle - we're back to the morality question from early on, but now with a complete solution. |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To explain how American politics currently works through favor-trading relationships and argue for a better approach based on principled political friendships.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their argument by first describing the current political system, then introducing a better alternative:
- First, the author describes how American politics works at all levels through client-patron relationships where politicians trade favors for support
- Next, the author defends this system as necessary, explaining that Congress couldn't function without some way to manage competing interests across the country
- Then, the author provides specific examples of how this favor-trading actually works in Congress, with representatives asking colleagues for votes in exchange for future support
- Finally, the author introduces a better alternative called amicitial - a Roman concept of responsible political friendship that still involves cooperation but is based on shared principles rather than simple transactions
Main Point:
While favor-trading relationships are currently necessary for American politics to function, true political morality can only exist when leaders practice amicitial - principled political friendships focused on shared long-term goals rather than just immediate personal benefits.
3. Question Analysis:
The question asks us to identify what constitutes a political favor "in the truest sense" according to the passage. This phrase appears in the context of the author's discussion of amicitial versus client-patron relationships.
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
- From our analysis of Sentence 8, we know that "Favors are still involved in amicitial, but they are political in the truest sense" - this is the key sentence that directly addresses what the question is asking
- The passage analysis shows a clear contrast structure:
- Client-patron relationships involve transactional favor-trading
- Amicitial involves principled political cooperation based on shared goals
- From Sentences 9-10, we see concrete examples of amicitial in action:
- True political alliances rather than financial transactions
- Focus on long-term political objectives beyond immediate gains
- Shared pursuit of meaningful policy goals
Prethinking:
Based on the passage structure, political favors "in the truest sense" must relate to amicitial rather than client-patron relationships. The author emphasizes that amicitial involves:
- Principled cooperation rather than simple transactions
- Shared long-term political objectives
- Mutual support based on genuine political alliance
- Focus on policy goals rather than personal gain
The correct answer should reflect these characteristics of amicitial-based political cooperation.
Answer Choices Explained
A
involves both private and public commercial interests
The passage doesn't discuss commercial interests as part of "truest sense" political favors. Amicitial is specifically contrasted with transactional relationships that might involve commercial considerations. The author emphasizes political objectives "beyond mere ambition," not commercial gain.
B
demands benefits for a particular constituency as well as for the politician who represents it
This describes client-patron relationships, not favors "in the truest sense." The passage shows this is the current system that should be superseded by amicitial. This focuses on constituency benefits rather than principled political cooperation.
C
provides reciprocal payments in both financial and political support
The passage explicitly states that amicitial does NOT involve financial payments. The author clearly states: "A president does not buy a mayor, any more than a mayor buys a president, with cash payments." This contradicts the core principle of amicitial relationships.
D
involves only candidates for high federal positions
The passage gives examples involving various levels of office, not just high federal positions. Amicitial can involve governors, mayors, and federal candidates working together. This artificially limits the scope of "truest sense" political favors.
E
represents an exchange of confidence and mutual support in carrying out particular policies
This directly matches the description of amicitial as "responsible friendship" involving mutual support. It captures the essence of political cooperation based on shared policy objectives, reflects the "alliance in the strictest political meaning" described in the passage, and emphasizes confidence and mutual support rather than transactional exchange.
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