Essay 23 – Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth

GT Writing Task 2 (Essay Writing) Sample # 23

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Present a written argument or case to an educated reader with no specialist knowledge of the following topic.

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?

You should write at least 250 words.

Use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and with relevant evidence.


Model Answer 1: [Viewpoint: It is the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves]

Being self-sufficient is a gift that we should all strive for whether it comes to an individual level or for a country. Therefore, whether wealthy nations be required to share their wealth with the poorer nations is often debatable. My response to this debate would be a ‘no’, so the responsibility naturally lies on the government’s shoulder of the poorer nations to look after their own citizens.

In my opinion, nations and individuals remain poor mostly because of their reluctance to explore the already-existing opportunities and options to alleviate their poverties whether it comes to ensuring better food safety or quality education. In fact, if we notice carefully, we will find that some groups of citizens in the same country are way too more “privileged” than the other groups, allowing them to use more resources and facilities than they actually need or deserve. And, should that be the case, it is the sole responsibility of the government of that particular country to ensure a ‘fair and equal’ distribution of wealth among its citizens.

Besides, remaining dependent on other countries to survive will almost inevitably make a nation lazy which, in turn, will destroy the potential of a country to prosper on its own terms and accords. So, again, it is the responsibility of the government of a particular country to inspire its citizens in order to make them more proactive and innovative in their approaches to get rid of the “no-so” glamorous stigma of being a ‘poor’ nation. On top of that, the wealthy nations will eventually grow “tired” of helping the so-called poor nations because their resources will also get depleted at some point despite their best efforts and intention. And, once the wealthy nations see that their resources are depleting, they will be in no mood of providing help to poorer nations. In fact, it is just not human nature to keep “giving and giving more” in return for “nothing” no matter how much wealthy an individual and nation really are.

In conclusion, it is the responsibility of the government and its citizens to “stand” on their own feet instead of seeking ‘help’ from others. Of course, we can always debate how the government and citizens of a country should go about dealing with their “poverty”, but, nevertheless, it is the responsibility of that particular country to meet the needs without the help of wealthy nations.


Model Answer 2: [Viewpoint: wealthy nations should share their wealth among poorer nations]

In a perfect world, all human beings live in harmony and have no poverty, diseases or war. But we do not live in an ideal world and the gap between rich and poor nations is significantly high. Not all nations have the resources and capability to ensure even the basic needs of their citizens and without the help of the wealthy nations, these countries would struggle to develop, and create turmoils that would eventually affect rich nations.

Without a doubt, the elected government of a country is responsible for the well-being of its citizen and must work continuously to develop the lifestyle of its population. It should focus on economic development and take long-term plans so that the country does not rely on help and loans from other countries to secure infrastructural developments. Ensuring quality education, social security, job opportunity and healthcare are some of the challenges that they must face bravely. However, not all countries can do that without the support from rich nations either because they do not have enough resources to do so or have widespread corruption and lack of qualified manpower.

Here comes the responsibility of affluent nations to provide support to poor nations so that they can eventually take control of their economic and social development. While rich nations are wasting a staggering amount of food each day, millions of citizens in poor countries in Asia and African continents go to bed on an empty stomach. This is inhuman and should not happen when we are equally created but are not equally privileged. Small supports in education and technical development by experts from rich countries can change the fate of many poor nations and this is where we should come forward and prove that we are not a selfish species but the very best. Looking more deeply, if rich nations do not extend their helping hands, poor countries would plunge deep into corruption and poverty and finally negatively affect the environment and start wars that would cause the developed countries dearly.

In conclusion, sharing wealth and offering support to poor nations so that they develop and stand on their own is beneficial for the rich nations in the long run both from the humanitarian and environmental perspectives. This is why rich nations have political and moral obligations to support poor nations.


Model Answer 3: [Viewpoint: It is the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens.]

It is a widely debated topic whether wealthy nations should be obligated to share their wealth with poorer nations by providing essentials such as food and education. In my opinion, while wealthy nations have a moral responsibility to contribute towards global development, it is ultimately the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to take care of their citizens.

One argument in favour of governments of poorer nations taking responsibility for their citizens is that it encourages self-reliance and fosters long-term sustainable development. When governments prioritize the well-being of their citizens, they are motivated to invest in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. By allocating resources and implementing effective policies, governments can empower their citizens to become more self-sufficient and drive economic growth from within. For instance, countries like South Korea and Singapore have successfully lifted their populations out of poverty by focusing on domestic development initiatives rather than relying solely on external aid.

Additionally, the responsibility for the welfare of citizens lies primarily with their respective governments. While wealthy nations can provide assistance and support, they should not be solely burdened with the responsibility of providing for the basic needs of poorer nations. By shouldering the responsibility themselves, governments can address the unique challenges and cater to the specific needs of their citizens more effectively. For example, the Indian government’s initiatives such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and the Right to Education Act demonstrate a commitment to uplifting their citizens by providing employment opportunities and access to education.

In conclusion, while rich countries have a moral obligation to contribute to the development of poorer nations, it is ultimately the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to prioritize the well-being of their citizens. By focusing on domestic development and fostering self-reliance, governments can pave the way for sustainable progress and ensure that the specific needs of their citizens are met.

One Comment to “Essay 23 – Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth”

  1. Essay Topic:
    Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?

    Sample Essay Response:
    While some people believe developed nations should give a helping hand to the less privileged countries in terms of food and education aid, others feel the government of the poor nations should be accountable for the general welfare of its citizens. I am of the opinion that the government of the underprivileged nations should fend for their citizens and this will be explained in the subsequent paragraphs.

    First, having the wealthy nations share their resources (food, medicine, other essentials and education) can in later years become a burden on them. This can be so because a nation will keep growing and increasing in population, thereby leading to increased pressures on the supply of such amenities and logistics. Thus, they might not be able to fulfil their promises in the long run which can result in enmity between the nations. Also, conflict and protests can arise on the part of the richer nation when the poor countries begin to develop faster and the donating countries face unemployment or recessions issues. This also indicates the reason why these resources should not be shared continuously with the less developed nations.

    Moreover, when the leaders of the underdeveloped nations become effective and efficient in discharging their duties in these two areas, it will promote their country’s sense of independence and self-actualization which will encourage the citizens as well to overcome any adversity they might encounter. Then, they will be able to become affluent on food and develop in the education sector graciously without the fear and pressure of deriving these benefits from a wealthier country.

    To conclude, while it is thought that wealthier nations should share their provisions of food and education with the less privileged countries, it can turn out to become a burden, a reason for enmity and conflict. It will be more considerate for governments of poorer countries to provide these things for their nations and residents so as to be able to live peacefully off debt.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *