GMAT Essays (AWA)

ESSAY QUESTION:
"Some people claim that the measure of a successful government is in how well it directly supports the poorer members of society. Others claim that if the government focuses on lifting the wealthier members, the benefits will reverberate throughout the social structure and the standard of living will rise for everyone."

In your view, to what extent should government be responsible for supporting those members of society who struggle to support themselves? Explain, giving relevant reasons and/or examples to support your position.


YOUR RESPONSE:
The subject of "Government's responsibility to society" has always been quite debatable and has always been a reason of argument between different groups. Some groups think that everyone needs to be independent and government should not be supporting anyone. These people also think that the focus of government should be on increasing the wealth of country by supporting rich people. However the dominant view across the world of people who believe in inclusive growth argue that the government should support the poor members of society.

Firstly, it is a duty of government to ensure well being of all it's citizen and ensure that they are not left to struggle for even basic necessities. This is a basic factor for a country's government being rated as successful or not. If the government is unable to take care of such a basic duty, it will lead the country into total anarchy like which is being seen in certain countries of Africa and Asia.

Secondly the aim of government should be complete growth of country from all aspects. Ensuring this is not possible by focusing on only certain groups of society. It is proven fact that if the country aims for an inclusive growth it is mostly successful in eradicating problems such as poverty from roots. The government of certain countries across the world who choose not to do this have lead to the increase of poverty and many other problems of the country manifold.

Thirdly, the most important aspect is that such an approach does not mean that government should not support wealthy people but it means that it should support every member of the society.

I totally support the view of an inclusive growth which means supporting even old people or disabled people who cannot help themselves. Such an approach always leads to total growth of country from all aspects and ensures that the wealth is not held by some only.