Essay 14 – Economic progress is the most important goal

GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 14

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:
The prioritisation of economic progress as the most important objective for governments is a viewpoint held by many policymakers. However, there are those who argue that a country’s development should encompass various aspects beyond mere economic growth. This essay will discuss both perspectives and present the opinion that economic progress alone should not be the primary focus for governments.

Proponents of emphasizing economic progress argue that it serves as the foundation for overall development. They contend that economic growth leads to increased job opportunities, improved living standards, and enhanced infrastructure. Furthermore, economic prosperity can generate revenue for social welfare programmes, healthcare, and education, thus benefiting the overall well-being of citizens.

On the other hand, individuals who advocate for a more holistic approach believe that governments should also prioritise social progress, environmental sustainability, and cultural preservation. They argue that a well-rounded development agenda should address issues such as poverty reduction, income inequality, access to healthcare and education, environmental conservation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. These aspects contribute to a more inclusive and balanced society.

In my opinion, while economic progress is undoubtedly important, it should not be the sole focus of governments. A narrow emphasis on economic growth may inadvertently lead to social disparities, environmental degradation, and cultural erosion. A sustainable and equitable society requires a multidimensional approach that considers the well-being of its citizens, the protection of the environment, and the preservation of cultural diversity.

In conclusion, although economic progress is often regarded as the primary goal for governments, it should not overshadow other equally important aspects of development. By adopting a broader perspective, governments can create a more balanced and inclusive society that addresses the diverse needs of its citizens.

Model Answer 2:
The development of a nation does not come overnight and many aspects of development are interconnected. Hence, financial progress should not be the primary goal for a sustainable elevation, according to many. Others, however, emphasise solely the economic advancement of a country. I consider success in education, industrialisation, acceptance of technology, healthcare, research, and fair governance far more important and believe that they can bring true progress to a country in the long run.

On the one hand, monetary freedom and self-reliance serve a nation to fight its predicaments in a more effective way. When a country has a sufficient budget, it can develop its infrastructure, fight corruption, plan for development policies and attract foreign investors. For instance, some Gulf countries, despite their deficiency in technological advancement, research facilities, gender equity, and modern education system have achieved enviable GDP due to their economic growth from their natural resource.

On the contrary, money and natural resource, in this modern era, cannot guarantee future development as technology plays a great role in the race for progress. Economic growth relies on the whole nation, not only on a certain portion of the population, and thus healthy and educated citizens play a much more powerful role in the development. China, as a country, has developed due to its educated population who are an important workforce in its export industry. Their acceptance of technology has labelled them as a fast-growing economy. Besides, fair governance in countries like Malaysia and Singapore has put them on top of the fast-growing economy.

In conclusion, economic progress is not a single objective that can be achieved overnight. Equal or even more important aspects are there for actual development and ensuring these would eventually bring sustainable financial achievement.

Model Answer 3:
Economic growth, without any doubt, is an important objective for a government as it is directly linked to the living standards of citizens. Though per-capita income and steady economic progress are considered the most important goals for a government by many, social justice, political rest, gender equity and human rights are no less important for the true development of a country.

There are obvious reasons why economic development is often considered the primary goal of an administration. Firstly, it ensures better living standards for citizens. It, in turn, ensures better job opportunities, education, healthcare and purchasing capabilities. For instance, countries with higher literacy rates and better life expectancy are usually economically strong. Moreover, increasing revenue and money reserve are vital for infrastructural development. Finally, a strong economy empowers the country’s global position and political influence.

Nevertheless, money alone cannot ensure a better social situation. A rich country will ultimately fall if it cannot curb crimes or maintain social justice. Human rights violation often puts rich countries behind developing nations in the living standards index. For instance, despite higher GDP, some developed countries are considered less favourable countries to live in. An autocratic government often turmoil the citizens’ rights to live freely and economic progress in such countries alone cannot make ordinary citizens happy. Perhaps another key consideration of countries’ true progress is tied to gender equality. Thus the success of a government can often be measured by the social justice and happiness of citizens rather than the wealth they have.

To conclude, economic progress along with key elements for a better social state is the overall criteria to measure the achievement of a government. It is expected that a government would put emphasis on making citizens happy along with economic progress.