Plz explain

Question

while the government was at pains to portray the exercise as a third stimulus package, pressure on Mr X from partymen and allies to deliver some sops before polls may have played at least as large a role in inducing him to loose the purse strings.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

<< while the government was at pains to portray the exercise as a third stimulus package, >>

Your whole sentence is about "the exercise," which is not specifically identified. We assume it is some great expenditure.

The government is working very hard to convince the public that this great expenditure is basically the same as two others which have gone before, and that all three may be considered as "packages" (groups, bundles of various actions) which are intended to stimulate the economy. This exercise is "number three."

The word "while" implies that in the writer's opinion, this is not the true (only) reason for the exercise.

<< pressure on Mr X from partymen and allies to deliver some sops before polls>>

(not sure about this) Supporters of Mr. X, and important members of his political party are worried about the next election. They're worried that if the economy worsens, they might lose their political jobs, or elected seats; and the political party, which is now riding high, may lose some of its power and prestige. Therefore, they want Mr. X to give them something positive to take to the voters back home, so those voters will continue their support. It's often called "pork," which is money for the folks back home to spend on their pet projects. The politicians can then use this to get votes, next time around.

I think "polls" here refers to the elections, not to "opinion polls." On election day, we say, "The polls are open," referring to the "polling places" where people go to cast their votes.

I'm puzzled by "sops." It usually means "standard operating procedure," which means "the normal way of doing things." It may have a different meaning here.

<< may have played at least as large a role in inducing him to loose the purse strings. >>

Mr. X was persuaded to open up his wallet (loose the purse strings). How / Why? The writer suggests that there were two reasons: (1) to stimulate the economy in general; (2) to satisfy his political allies by giving them pork for the people back home, enabling them to get re-elected in two years, and keep his party in power.

Cbsteh · Answer

Avangi, I think you scored a direct hit. My only contribution is I think SOP is Statement of Purpose, which fits in nicely in your explanation.

Chris

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, Chris. <img src="http://www.EnglishForward.com/emoticons/emotion-1.gif"/>

Hritu · Answer

thanks avangi. but sop means a small, not very important, thing that is offered to sb who is angry or disappointed in order to make them feel better.

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, hritu, never heard that.

So do you think it would mean the "partymen" and political allies are pressuring Mr. X for "sops" on their own behalf (being angry and/or disappointed), knowing that what they're asking for amounts to worthless trinkets to cheer them up? Or are they asking on behalf of the people back home, looking toward the next election?

Or is it possible that the writer means to imply that the "partymen" are acting like children, asking for the world and thinking they might be getting the world, but only being given trinkets? That is, the writer is saying Mr. X wants to fool everybody, including his allies? (These are pretty expensive trinkets!)

Best regards, - A.

Edit. Wow! I never dreamed it was a real word (not an acronym). I just looked it up. Actually, I now remember my mother saying, "as wet as sop." And we still use the expression, "sopping wet!" Thanks again!

P.S. Would you mind telling me the source of your original quote - or at least the country of origin? Thanks.

Hritu · Answer

Mr. X is finance minister. So the partymen wnt him to reduce some taxes. That will be kind of sops for public. Because it's the time of recession, ppl r loosing their jobs and they r angry. They r concerned abt wht gov is doing to make the situation better. And if the ppl r happy it will be good for gov. It can come in power again.

Plz explain

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