GP Essay Analysis

Question: Technological Advancement has worsened the problem of

poverty. Do you agree?
Thesis: While some may argue that technological advancements in the 21 st century
alleviate poverty because of their practical ability to increase standards of living of
the poor and also to increase the awareness of poverty, it has perhaps worsened
the problem of poverty as it decreases social mobility, reduces job opportunities for
the poor and creates a culture of slacktivism among advocates of poverty
eradication.
Points:
Practical ability to increase standard of living
o The Water Book, pages lined with special chemical that purifies water
o Technology recognized by UN as vital in helping to fulfill one of its
Millennium Development Goals: to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020,
to lift everyone above the poverty line of US $2 a day
Increases awareness of poverty through social media, makes it more
convenient to help
o Kony 2012
o Websites such as freerice.com engage people in quizzes, for every
correct question the player answers, the organization donates 100g of
rice to the poor
o Jubilee Project: Filmmakers who have pledged a $1 donation towards
the eradication of poverty for every view that their YouTube film on
poverty garners
However, use of social media as a platform creates a culture of slacktivism.
People believe helping people in poverty is a simple click away, dissuades
them from actively and physically helping those in poverty. Unreliable
organizations and campaign promises decreases peoples trust in legitimate
organizations, less likely to donate.
Technological advancement can be said to worsen the problem of poverty as
it runs counter to alleviating the conditions of the poor. Innovation and the
development of efficient machinery have reduced labor intensive markets to
the machine based economics. While this ensures efficiency, it robs the poor
of job opportunities and renders them obsolete with the progression of
technology
Good Words:

Engender: to cause or give rise to

o E.g. the issue engendered continuing controversy

Question: Consider the view that multiculturalism inevitably leads to

conflict.
Thesis: While there are certainly grounds for such sentiments as the seeds of
conflict are easily sown by humanitys fear of the foreign, I would argue that conflict
is far from inevitable in multicultural societies as humanity is eminently capable of
tremendous generosity and acceptance with sufficient support provided by the
state.
Points:
Conflict can be caused due to fear of the foreign. Conflict arises as an instinct
powered by an individuals desire to shield himself from the source of this
fear.
o Example is Islamophobia. Rise of xenophobic parties such as National
Front of France, the Golden Dawn of Greece, and Jobbik of Hungary.
o After Nigel Farage, formerly of the xenophobic United Kingdom
Independence Party made insensitive comments denouncing certain
practices of Britains sizeable Muslim minority, a group of aggrieved
individuals led by radical preacher Abu Hamza held protests that
resulted in skirmishes between members of both fronts.
It can be argued that multiculturalism mat led to conflict due to differences in
beliefs and political outlooks that may not have been reconciled.
o In 2005 there were rage fuelled bombings that occurred after a Danish
cartoonist published a comic portraying Prophet Muhammad,
contravening the religious sensitivities of the local music population.
Danish value of free speech may have caused individuals to infringe on
countervailing ideals of religious respect.
The human race is capable of far more than a blind and vicious fight against
the unknown. Values of tolerance and acceptance and accommodation are
eminently present in the better parts of human nature.
o Imam Layama and Archbishop Nzapalainga of the Central African
Republic, two religious leaders of vastly different faiths who have
united in search of common ground for people of different faiths to
coexist peacefully.
o The late Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Christian Church worked
closely together with the Grand Council of Imams to maintain religious
harmony in Egypt.
Governments, especially those in first-world nations, are well equipped to
bridge the divides that lead to discord between cultures.
o Post 9/11, it was easy for people to fall prey to xenophobic sentiments.
Emerging from the catastrophe as a united nation, the United States is
now planning to build an interfaith centre at the site of the former
World Trade Centre to construct and strengthen the bond between
members of different cultures.
Multiculturalism is slated to become more peaceful than ever due to the
process of normalization that takes place.

Discriminatory attitudes are picked up from society. Researchers at

Binghamton University of New York reported that adopted children of
different races and religions who have lived together from a young age
experience similar levels of sibling conflict as homogenous ones

Good Words:

Tenacity: Doggedness
o E.g. I believe in the tenacity of the human race
Contravening: Conflicting with a right or a principle
o E.g. He contravened the Official Secrets Act
Countervailing: counteracting
o Dominance of the party was mediated by a number of countervailing
factors