ParaSummary Question 3 - CAT 2021
Foreign peacekeepers often exist in a bubble in the poor countries in which they are deployed; they live in posh compounds, drive fancy vehicles, and distance themselves from locals. This may be partially justified as they are outsiders, living in constant fear, performing a job that is emotionally draining. But they are often despised by the locals, and many would like them to leave. A better solution would be bottom-up peacebuilding, which would involve their spending more time working with communities, understanding their grievances and earning their trust, rather than only meeting government officials.
A) Peacekeeping duties would be more effectively performed by local residents given their better understanding, knowledge and rapport with their own communities.
B) The environment in poor countries has tended to make foreign peacekeeping forces live in enclaves, but it is time to change this scenario.
C) Extravagant lifestyles and an aloof attitude among the foreigners working as peacekeepers in poor countries have justifiably made them the target of local anger.
D) Peacekeeping forces in foreign countries have tended to be aloof for valid reasons but would be more effective if they worked more closely with local communities.
Step-by-Step Explanation
- Correct Answer: D
- Explanation: The text details that foreign peacekeepers isolate themselves from local communities for understandable reasons (fear, stress), but notes that this creates local resentment. It concludes with the author's prescriptive solution: adopting a community-focused, bottom-up engagement strategy. Option D balances both the context of their aloofness and the recommended solution.
- FundaMakers Tip: Eliminate Unwarranted Replacements. Option A claims that peacekeeping should be shifted entirely to local residents. The author never states that foreign forces should be replaced; they merely suggest that the existing forces shift how they interact with locals.