The encouragement of competition in all possible fields should tend to（）the likelihood of war rather

The encouragement of competition in all possible fields should tend to（）the likelihood of war rather than increase it. A. eliminate B. accumulate C. diminish D. establish

The correct answer is C. diminish.

The sentence suggests that encouraging competition in various fields should reduce or lower the likelihood of war, rather than increase it. The word "diminish" means to make something smaller or less, which fits the context of reducing the likelihood of war.

So, the full sentence would read:
"The encouragement of competition in all possible fields should tend to diminish the likelihood of war rather than increase it."