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.

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’

progress

. While economic

progress

is

of course

Add the comma(s)

, of course,

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essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of

progress

are just as important. There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries.

Firstly

, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens.

Secondly

, economic

progress

ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services.

For example

, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country's transport network, its education system and its hospitals.

Finally

, a strong economy can help a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

However

, I would argue that various other forms of

progress

are just as significant as the economic factors mentioned above.

In particular

, we should consider the area of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself.

For example

, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging the

progress

of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-being and happiness of its residents. In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.