Question

The economist claimed that the shrinking proletariat and growing middle class was a(n) auspicious sign that the nation's economy was maturing properly. In addition, he insisted that the nation would need to break its tenacious dependence on fossil fuels and develop new forms of technology. What did the economist claim about the nation's economy and its dependence on fossil fuels?

1) The nation's economy is maturing properly and the growing middle class is a positive sign.
2) The nation's economy is declining and the shrinking proletariat is a negative sign.
3) The nation's economy is stagnant and the growing middle class is a negative sign.
4) The nation's economy is unstable and the shrinking proletariat is a positive sign.

Answer 1

The economist viewed the growing middle class and shrinking proletariat as positive signs of a maturing economy and emphasized the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The economist claimed that the shrinking proletariat and growing middle class were auspicious signs that the nation's economy was maturing properly. Thus, the correct answer to the question is 1) The nation's economy is maturing properly and the growing middle class is a positive sign. Furthermore, the economist insisted that the nation needed to break its tenacious dependence on fossil fuels and transition towards developing new forms of technology, which indicates an awareness of the importance of sustainable energy sources and innovation for continued economic growth.