Assertion (A): Most early Libertarians had an unrealistic view of how long it would take to find the truth and establish an ideal social order.
Reason (R): Because this ideal order was not necessarily a democracy and might not always allow communication freedom.
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true.
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation.
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(D) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Correct Ans: (B)
Explanation:
Most early Libertarians had an overly optimistic view of how quickly truth could emerge and lead to an ideal social order. This assertion is true. Early Libertarians believed that open communication and the absence of censorship would naturally uncover the truth. They anticipated that this would foster a harmonious society within a short time frame. However, their expectations did not account for the complexities of human behavior, social structures, or the time needed to address misinformation and differing viewpoints.
The reason provided is also true. The ideal order envisioned by early Libertarians was not always a democracy. Furthermore, it did not guarantee absolute freedom of communication. Some Libertarian thinkers prioritized the establishment of a “perfect” social system over democratic principles. They believed that certain restrictions might be necessary to maintain this system, even if it meant limiting communication freedoms.
However, the reason does not fully explain the assertion. The unrealistic timelines of early Libertarians stemmed more from their idealistic belief in the self-correcting nature of truth than from their views on democracy or communication freedom. Their focus was on creating a utopia rather than considering the practical challenges of achieving one.
In conclusion, both the assertion and the reason are true. Yet, the reason does not directly explain the assertion. Early Libertarians’ optimism about societal progress underestimated the complexities of truth-seeking and social change.
