GRE Reading Comprehension
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Source: Other
The American people have an incorrect under-standing of what it means to be at war. At least, so argues T.H. Pickett in his conservative interpretation of American military history.
Pickett does present a wealth of examples, along with a refreshingly candid argument that America often goes to war for an abstract ideal such as democratization of societies, world peace, liberty, or freedom. For instance, the Spanish-American War of 1898 was ostensibly a consequence of national enthusiasm for the cause of Cuban liberty. And. more obviously, America's entry into World War I stemmed from a desire to "make the world safe for democracy." Although these observations are supportable, Pickett overstates the case when he argues that these abstract causes typically lead to a war hysteria in which American leadership can no longer enforce any measured policies.
Question List: 1 2
Which of the following best states the author's main point?
- A Pickett's study overturned the conventional understanding of why America engages in warfare.
- B Pickett's study is valuable primarily because it provides a thorough understanding of the causes of American warfare.
- C The rationale for American warfare is well documented.
- D Pickett provides a cogent rationale for why America engages in warfare; however, he draws conclusions that the author does not fully support.
- E Pickett's analysis of American military history provides the definitive historical record of the period from the Spanish-American War to World War I.