John Julius Norwich makes a point of saying in the introduction to his history of the popes that he is “no scholar” and that he is “an agnostic Protestant.” The first point means that while he will be scrupulous with his copious research, he feels no obligation to unearth new revelations or concoct revisionist theories. The second means that he has “no ax to grind.” In short, his only agenda is to tell us the story. Norwich declares that he is an agnostic Protestant with no axe to grind: his aim is to tell the story of the popes, from the Roman period to the present, covering them neither with whitewash nor with ridicule. Even more disarmingly, he insists that he has no pretensions to scholarship and writes only for “the average intelligent reader”. But he adds: “I have tried to maintain a certain lightness of touch.” And that, it seems, is the opening through which a fair amount of outrageous anecdote and Gibbonian dry wit is allowed to enter the narrative.
The correct option is C
Democracy is the political principle that governs the modern state and the utopian destiny that every society aspires to. From the etymological point of view it means "government of the people", but from the social sphere, democracy supposes much more by bringing together a series of values that are considered essential today for the harmonious coexistence of all citizens. History is full of struggles to achieve this goal. Democratic values have transcended the political sphere to penetrate deeply into the consciousness of modern societies, where many citizens apply the rule of majority will, the principle of equality and the defense of freedoms, in their day to day. Democracy has established itself as the main rule of coexistence. In addition to the respect for human rights that are presupposed in any democratic society, there is a series of freedoms that were achieved little by little during a long process in which the people managed to impose their will. In the 18th century, civil rights were conquered, such as freedom of expression, ideology and religion, as well as the rights to private property, commercial transactions and justice. In the 19th century, the struggle focused on political rights, that is, on the right to vote and to present oneself as a leader, while in the 20th century social rights were advocated, such as the right to housing, to work. , economic well-being or security.
I believe the answer is A
