Reading Comprehension

PT137 · S1 · P4 · Q25 Sovereign Omnipotence

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Can a sovereign have unlimited legal power?

Topic

The unlimited power of sovereigns, and the consequences of that power.

Framework

Challenge Position

Main Point

The passage discusses the paradox of sovereign omnipotence—if a sovereign has unlimited power, it can limit itself, contradicting true omnipotence—and explores how this paradox has practical consequences, such as making it hard for monarchs to make credible commitments (like repaying debts). While constitutional limits (like those after England’s Glorious Revolution) can help, they don’t eliminate the paradox; they just shift it elsewhere in government. The Most Valuable Sentence: Final paragraph:

P1: Introducing the Paradox of Omnipotence

Can a sovereign really have unlimited power? If so, it should be able to limit itself, which creates a contradiction. This is the paradox of omnipotence.

P2: Real-World Problems from Sovereign Omnipotence

This isn’t just a philosophical riddle—it caused real problems for monarchies like those in England and France, who faced big challenges because of it.

P3: Credibility Problems for Sovereigns

Sovereigns with unlimited power can break promises whenever they want—especially financial ones—so no one trusts them, and it’s tough for them to borrow money cheaply or easily.

25.

The author mentions the English and French monarchies' need for capital (first sentence of the fourth paragraph) primarily in order to

  1. cast doubt on the claim

    Trap

    2% picked this

  2. illustrate the low opinion that

    Trap

    3% picked this

  3. emphasize the unlimited nature of

    Trap

    9% picked this

  4. Correct

    help explain why the paradox

    Why this is right

    Passage Summary Topic The paradox of sovereign omnipotence and whether constitutions resolve it. Framework Challenge Position Main Point Unlimited sovereign power creates a practical problem, the inability to make binding commitments, and constitutional limits do not necessarily solve it; England's settlement only moved the problem from Crown to Parliament. Most Valuable Sentence: "For example, the constitutional settlement imposed by the Glorious Revolution did not solve the paradox of omnipotence but just relocated the problem from one branch of government to another." P1: Introducing the Paradox of Omnipotence A sovereign with unlimited power could limit its own power, which contradicts unlimited power. P2: Real-World Problems from Sovereign Omnipotence North and Weingast show the paradox created practical trouble for English and French monarchs. P3: Credibility Problems for Sovereigns A sovereign who can renege at will cannot borrow on good terms, since no commitment is credible. P4: Historical Example—England and France Needing capital but unable to bind themselves, monarchs earned reputations for reneging and paid higher interest than their subjects. P5: Solution via Constitutional Limits After 1688, Parliament controlled the purse and protected property rights, so the Crown could borrow more cheaply. P6: Limits of Constitutional Limits Scholars conclude constitutions help sovereigns by limiting them, but the settlement only relocated the paradox: now Parliament cannot bind itself.

    Skill tested: Local Purpose · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    79% picked this

  5. reinforce the claim that sovereigns

    Trap

    7% picked this

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