TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Government spending on improving the national image - revised -

Is it a good idea for governments to allocate financial resources to enhance the image of their own country in various ways on the international stage? 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1         What exactly are governmental allocations of financial resources to enhance the national image, in other words, spending tax money on improving soft power?

(e.g. donations, financial and technological support, dispatching rescue teams to disaster-stricken countries and supporting the reconstruction, scholarship for international students, cultural exchange, modernizing the country, renouncing war in the Constitution, etc.)

2         Will military spending or going to war enhance national images?

(Notes: (1) Japan invaded other Asian countries before, so its extra spending on military budget rightly raises concerns among them. (2) Right after starting the Iraq War, America’s soft power dropped, with less people around the world liking the country than before the war.)

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.     Supports to other countries, especially their people, will increase goodwill and promote peace.

2.     Trades and investment will increase. China supports development of African countries, which keep strong ties with China in collaborative projects.

3.     International students will increase, and the tourism industry will benefit from the advertisement, leading to true mutual understanding between countries.

 

Disagree

1.     “If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself.” For instance, in the latter half of the last century, Japan had solid industry and was the second biggest economy in the world. Japanese brand names were well-known around the world. This organic national reputation was high enough to attract people from other countries.

2.     Cool Japan Campaign by the Japanese government failed with a huge deficit. It started as a campaign to promote Japanese contents like anime and manga, which had already been popular in other countries and needed no promotion. Then it expanded to promote other Japanese cultures like Japanese food and textiles. The marketing was done not by businessmen but by the government officials.  For reference: A Decade in “Cool Japan” – Over the Offing

(https://overtheoffing.wordpress.com/2021/06/10/a-decade-in-cool-japan/)

3.     The tax money must be returned to reduce the suffering of vulnerable people.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Image control is deceptive, but image is often everything. Thus, I think governmental attempts to make the national image among other countries better may benefit the country. However, I’m skeptical of the true benefits and believe that it can lead to a fiasco in the end.

【Supporting Details】For example, while no experts can find ways to solve the problem of the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima, the Prime Minister Abe said, “It’s under control,” and with his sycophants handled more than 10 million yen (then 100 thousand dollars) of bribes for the right to hold the Olympics 2020 in Japan. It created false images on the international stage that Japan is safe enough to have the huge sporting event. Abe administration also promoted in-bound tourism with Cool Japan Campaign. Both spendings have now been proven to be futile.

【Counterargument-treatment】Of course, some efforts to improve national images may benefit the government. Financial support for students from abroad, for instance, will strengthen the bond between the countries. However, many of the efforts are just a scam. For example, although subsidizing tourism may attract tourists at first, it is not good images but good experiences and word of mouth that make tourists royal visitors. Decades ago, people came to Japan for attractions like Akihabara the anime town and the beautiful countryside with traditional landscapes and cultures. Now they come to Japan because it’s cheap. Neither boom has little to do with the government spending on tourism.

【Conclusion】Therefore, not all budget allocations to national image improvement will work for government. Striving for real advancement of our society is the only way to bring the country prosperity.  (275 words)

 

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