Most countries develop their economies to improve living standards. Some people are afraid that it will cause degradation of important social values. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Most countries develop their economies to improve living standards. Some people are afraid that it will cause degradation of important social values. Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?  

Ielts Essay Economic Development and Social Values 

With a race ensuing for progress, every nation on the planet earth has been pursuing objectives of developing their economies. This though has also led to creating apprehensions in minds of many people who think that the progress is definitely going to cast unholy shadow on the culture and ways of life of society. There are pros and cons associated with progress but progress has more people vouching for it.

The dynamics of enhancement and improvements in an economy’s capacity and productiveness generates new venues for a better and a healthy society that is more aware of its social structure. The societies which choose to remain confined to age old traditions and values often succumb because of the rigid values. It has been historically established that countries having better standard of living stand better chances of preserving their traditions and instead propagating them across the world as has been seen and experienced in case of USA.

Moreover, it is only the development which can create resources for preservation of traditions and traditional thought process as all venues and corners of a developing economy witness a parallel and simultaneous upheaval for e.g. a country like Japan which is known for its age old traditions has developed and sustained its culture successfully and today more and more Japanese are inclined to their cultural thinking.

On other hand. the people who allege that their culture being invaded by development often cite instances of people, especially the young, getting detached from the indigenous customs and succumbing to lifestyles that are deemed unsuitable in specific social perspectives: this detachment from grassroots hinders perpetuation of local beliefs and ways of life, and ultimately demise of a whole social set-up.  

In conclusion, I would rather emphasize that progress has enormous benefits and countries cannot sideline this phenomena in name of preserving traditions and their culture; only continuing development and attaining prosperity can help sustain social and traditional values.