UGC NET Reading Comp Q49

Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions : An essential function of hegemony involves convincing people to support the existence of a social system that does not support them in return. Marginalised groups do not often protest or revolt against ideologies that overwhelmingly support privileged groups because, on some level, they consent to being dominated. This statement prompts an immediate question: Why would anyone consent to such an arrangement? While dominant ideologies may reflect the desires and interests of socially powerful groups, for these ideologies to remain dormant or hegemonic, they must also feature an additional promise. It is in the best interest of the marginalized groups to accept these beliefs as well. Put another way, members of socially powerful groups act to have their world view accepted as the universal way of thinking, and members outside these groups come to accept some of these ideologies because they appear beneficial in some way. This is referred to as a process of spontaneous consent because it is typically informal or unnoticed. The best way to understand the spontaneous consent of hegemony is through an example. A number of ideological components within a nation's higher education system may not be in the best interests of students. One dominant belief suggests that college students should pay for their own education. Despite being affected by the belief, they accept it, and the ideology survives. When such consent fails, however, the concept of hegemony also explains how dominant ideologies evolve to contain this failure through a process of flexible appropriation. In such a situation, it is likely that dominant cultural institutions will absorb any challenging beliefs, integrate them into the hegemonic matrix, and re-establish the previous norm. As a result, hegemonic systems never go away. They simply change form through a process of constant give and take between social group. Hegemonic ideological structures maintain control in part through the never-ending process of integration and appropriation of marginalised ideologies.

Accepted Answer

D