What does the word myopic mean in the policy analysis excerpt below?

The economist criticized the government's myopic focus on quarterly gross domestic product metrics, arguing that it ignored the rapid depletion of non-renewable natural capital.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. nearsighted and lacking long-term foresight or perspective

  1. Step 1: Analyze context: focusing exclusively on 'quarterly GDP' while ignoring 'depletion of natural capital' reflects narrow, short-term thinking.
  2. Step 2: 'Myopic' literally means nearsighted; figuratively, it describes lacking foresight, intellectual narrowness, or short-term thinking.
Answer
nearsighted and lacking long-term foresight or perspective.
Why not the others: 'exceptionally visionary and focused on sustainable centuries' is the direct antonym; 'strictly legally required by international monetary treaties' is irrelevant; 'financially prudent and focused on minimizing national debt' misinterprets reckless short-termism as prudence.

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