Which statement best describes a common rationale for relocating a capital to a new city?

• A. To centralize political power in the historic capital.
• B. To relieve congestion in the existing capital and symbolize a new era of governance.
• C. To extend the country's territory.
• D. To reduce regional disparities without new development.

Answer: (B)

Relocating a capital is often driven by practical aims to ease pressure on the old seat of government while also signaling a break with the past. Moving to a new city can relieve congestion and administrative strain in the existing capital, making governance more efficient, and it also carries a strong political message that a new era of governance and modernization is underway. This combination—addressing crowding and sending a symbolic reform signal—is why this rationale is the best fit. Other reasons, like extending territory or simply reducing regional disparities without new development, don’t capture the typical mix of practical relief and political symbolism that relocation tends to pursue.