Most countries aim to improve their standard of living through economic development, but many important social values can be lost as a result. Do the advantages of economic development outweigh the disadvantages?

Economic
development
Use synonyms
is often viewed by governments as the primary route to improving living standards.
Although
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economic progress can bring certain benefits, I believe that it frequently undermines essential social values
,
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apply
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and that its disadvantages generally outweigh its advantages. On the one hand, economic
development
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can be necessary to ensure that a country meets the basic needs of its population. Increasing food production,
for instance
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, is vital to preventing hunger, and land reform that redistributes farmland to poorer communities can help achieve
this
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goal.
Furthermore
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, economic growth is commonly regarded as a means of expanding government revenue, enabling greater investment in public services
such
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as healthcare, education, housing, and infrastructure. Citizens require not only adequate shelter but
also
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access to clean water, electricity, medical facilities, and schools. When
development
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policies are implemented responsibly, it is possible for economic progress to occur without eroding social values.
On the other hand
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, the major drawback of economic
development
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is that it often benefits only a small elite who already possess wealth and influence. Lacking a sense of social responsibility, these groups tend to prioritise profit
above all
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else. In countries
such
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as South Africa and Brazil,
for example
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, large landowners use the most fertile land to grow cash crops for export,
while
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local populations struggle to secure enough food for themselves. Little of the resulting wealth is reinvested in public welfare, and at the same time, natural resources are depleted
and
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, and
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industrial waste is discharged into rivers and oceans.
Such
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practices not only deepen inequality but
also
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damage the environment and weaken the social fabric. In conclusion,
although
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economic
development
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can help governments provide essential services, it is too often pursued in ways that neglect social needs and values.
For
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this
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reason, the disadvantages tend to outweigh the advantages.

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strength
Clear view on the topic from the start.
strength
Good use of two side ideas with 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'.
strength
Examples show real issues like money and land use.
Topic Vocabulary:
  • standard of living
  • economic development
  • quality of life
  • infrastructure
  • healthcare
  • education
  • job opportunities
  • unemployment
  • poverty
  • technological advancements
  • innovation
  • traditional cultural values
  • social bonds
  • material wealth
  • consumerism
  • social inequality
  • environmental conservation
  • wealth gap
  • vulnerable groups
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