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English Audio Request

maiphuonghaha
409 Words / 1 Recordings / 1 Comments
Note to recorder:

Please read this essay at your natural speed.

Topic: Is the world a better place when it is managed by one superpower or by two or more superpowers?

Model essay:

Over the course of history, many empires controlled large areas of the world. These superpowers shaped the world as we know it, but one has to wonder what the world would be like today if there were a balancing power in play during these superpowers’ reigns. I tend to believe that for the sake of stability and fairness, it is better to have two equally strong nations exerting influence over the world rather than having one nation do it alone.

Power is a dangerous thing. Whether concentrated in one person or a group, there is little to stop those with power from using it for their own self-interest; as the expression states, ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ Nations with too much control over other nations will, almost certainly, use that power to help their own citizens at others’ expense. Even today, rich countries exploit the cheap labour of poor countries, or make trade deals that are one-sided because the weaker nation is afraid of the consequences of refusing. In the long run this creates tension, hatred, and inequalities, all of which create a world where people feel they have nothing to lose by fighting against those who abuse them and treat them unfairly.

One way to counter this, however, is to distributed power amongst at least two groups. While this may also create tension, it is one that can be more positive. To illustrate, if two nations manage the world, they have natural checks in place, such as the fact that other nations have an option of whom to align with, thus making them less susceptible to bullying. During the Cold War, for instance, the United States and the Soviet Union, though bitter enemies, managed to make alliances that benefitted more nations than is the case with only one superpower calling the shots. While a cold war is not an ideal scenario, it is probably better than a world that fears and bows down to the whims of one government.

To conclude, even though a world in which everyone can get along and share the Earth is a wonderful dream, reality suggests that power will always find its way into the hands of some and not others. In this case, better that this power is somewhat distributed so as to ensure that no one nation rules the world.

Recordings

Comments

maiphuonghaha
July 29, 2017

Thank you!

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