Question

Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and other as Reason (R). Read these statements and choose the correct answer from the given below options:
Assertion (A): The European Union has its own flag, anthem, founding date and currency.
Reason (R): The European Union has a major influence on the economic, political and military fields in the contemporary world.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
• D. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

Hint:

When solving Assertion-Reason questions, always read them as independent statements first to verify their truth value. If both are true, use the “Because-Test” to determine if the Reason outlines a direct causal path for the Assertion.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Evaluating the Assertion (A):
The European Union (EU) was established via the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Over time, it evolved from an economic union into a highly integrated political and security entity. While its attempt to establish a formal Constitution failed in 2005, it successfully adopted several nation-state-like state symbols, including a common flag (blue with 12 gold stars), an anthem (“Ode to Joy”), a founding date (Europe Day, May 9), and a single currency (the Euro). Thus, Assertion (A) is True.

Step 2: Evaluating the Reason (R):
The EU holds immense global weight across several domains:
• Economic: It is one of the world's largest economies, possessing a single market and playing a pivotal role in global trade and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Political: It exercises profound diplomatic and soft power across international forums; several member states (e.g., France) hold significant sway, including permanent/non-permanent seats on the UNSC.
• Military: Its combined armed force expenditures are second globally only to the United States, and it holds nuclear capability (via France). Thus, Reason (R) is True.

Step 3: Determining the Logical Link:
To test the logical link, we can read the Assertion and insert a transitional conjunction like “because” followed by the Reason: “The EU has its own flag, anthem, founding date, and currency BECAUSE it has a major influence on the economic, political, and military fields...” This is logically invalid. Having a flag, currency, or anthem is an expression of its federal/supernational identity and integration efforts (behaving like a nation-state), whereas its economic, political, and military influence represents its objective global power and capabilities. The global influence does not cause or explain the existence of its political symbols. Therefore, both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).