The passage above appears to articulate which of the following political principles?

(A) From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs (B) Might makes right (C) The end justifies the means (D) The government is best that governs leastExplanation: (C) This question tests use of evidence and historical interpretation. Answer A is a famous Marxist formula, and B is a cynical expression of power politics in the vein of Machiavelli. Robespierre has little to say about the idea contained in D, but argues forcefully that, when protecting a noble ideal, terrible times require terrible solutions. The same logic has been applied by many extremist politicians throughout history.