Question

widening our universe of obligation
in a society, the universe of obligation extends beyond individual connections to include
broader groups with whom there may be less direct contact. this concept plays a key role in
the way communities and nations decide who to include and protect. historical movements
often demonstrate the expansion of a nation’s universe of obligation to incorporate previously
excluded groups.

• the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s in the united states expanded the

u.s.’s universe of obligations to include black people and other diverse racial, ethnic, and
gender groups. subsequent movements fought for greater inclusion of latinos, native
americans, and women in the u.s. universe of obligation.

• national policies and social attitudes can reflect a nation’s universe of obligation, which

determines who is protected or marginalized.

• the expansion of a nation’s universe of obligation is shaped by shifts in cultural

awareness and policy, often prompted by advocacy and societal change.

• shared beliefs, values, and historical experiences help define whom a society feels

responsible for and to whom it extends its protection and care
how do cultural awareness and advocacy impact the
universe of obligation at a national level?

• they can prompt expansions to include more groups.
• they often narrow the universe of obligation.
• they usually have no effect on a nation’s obligations.

Explanation:

The text states that the expansion of a nation’s universe of obligation is shaped by shifts in cultural awareness and policy, often prompted by advocacy (like the Civil Rights Movement and subsequent movements that expanded the U.S. universe of obligation to include more groups). So cultural awareness and advocacy prompt expansions to include more groups. The other options (narrowing or no effect) contradict the examples and explanations given (e.g., movements led to including more groups).

Answer:

They can prompt expansions to include more groups.