The pro-Nazi, but important legal and political theorist, Carl Schmitt, made the friend-enemy distinction as ________(1) of politics itself. To be political was necessarily to work with a distinction between an extreme version of us and them, friends and enemies. Not only was this distinction the decisive criterion of the political but even within this relationship, enmity had priority over friendship: Those not on our side, or disloyal to us, are automatically, irredeemably, enemies. In doing so, Schmitt reduced all politics to war. At least war is an ever-present possibility in politics, he claimed, and therefore a political person must conduct himself as if surrounded by enemies. Schmitt was _______(2) a distinction perfected by some strands within Abrahamic religions that invented the idea of an ‘extra-systemic other’, a radical other with whom no conversation is possible, one who is outside one’s semantic universe. Those who do not _________(3) to the doctrine defining the system are enemies to be fought. Internal dissent too is _________(4) , akin to betrayal, of joining the camp of the enemy, signifying treachery. Felt as existential threats, both outsiders and deviant insiders must be ‘converted’, brought in line or altogether ________(5).
Obviously, a mentality _________(6) with the friend-enemy syndrome is fundamentally undemocratic. Knowing the difference between an enemy and an adversary is absolutely _________(7) in a functioning democracy. An adversary is someone one wishes to defeat in a temporary contest such as a legal combat or a game of cricket. To wish to __________(8) an opponent in an election is entirely legitimate. On the other hand, an enemy is someone to be destroyed permanently. Adversaries can be won over, turned into allies, but enemies cannot. A compromise with an adversary is acceptable, even praiseworthy. On the other hand, with an enemy, a compromise spells defeat, an unacceptable concession, a betrayal. There are no permanent losers or victors; each competitor wins some and loses some in a fair contest. But all rules of fairness can be __________(9) in a fight with an enemy. In this __________(10) scenario, all politics is nothing but war.
- constitutiveinstinctiveintrinsicimmanentAll are correctOption B
Instinctive – coming from instinct,natural behaviour or impulse
- utilisingleveragingexploitingmaneuveringAll are correctOption D
Maneuvering – a movement often performed with difficulty
- heedadherecompelstickAll are correctOption C
Compel – force or oblige (someone) to do something.
- abhorrentloathsomeabominablehorridAll are correctOption E
- pillagedexpungedannihilatedobliteratedAll are correctOption A
Pillaged – steal (something) using violence, especially in wartime.
- lacedimplicatedentangledtwinedAll are correctOption B
Implicated – show (someone) to be involved in a crime.
- criticalvitalexigentpivotalAll are correctOption C
Exigent – pressing; demanding.
- trouncelambastedrubroutAll are correctOption B
Lambaste – criticize (someone or something) harshly.
- neglecteddiscardedsquanderedabandonedAll are correctOption C
Squandered – allow (an opportunity) to pass or be lost.
- belligerenthostileinimicalrepugnantAll are correctOption D
Repugnant – extremely distasteful; unacceptable.
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