Claim: Governments must ensure that their major cities receive
the financial support they need in order to thrive.
Reason: It is primarily in cities that a nation's cultural
traditions are preserved and generated.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which
you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.
The distribution of financial support
is a challenging task which requires thoroughgoing analysis. Nowadays
we have to invest more and more money into institutions that are
responsible for maintaining national culture and identity. The claim
posits this kind of support only for major cities and does not
mention anything about other parts of the country. Probably, we can
assume that the financial support for major cities is the first
priority. According to the further statement, the main reason for
this approach is that traditions are preserved and generated
primarily in cities. In my opinion, this view is not fully developed
and requires further consideration.
First, we should carefully examine the
current state of main cities, let alone the problem of defining what
the major cities are. Thus, many of the major cities are humongous
multicultural melting pots, for example, London or Paris. These is
truly a mix of cultures and traditions. It is sufficient to go by an
underground from one station to another in order to get an impression
as if somebody were in a different country. The big cities are no
longer places where the national heritage can be easily preserved.
The major cities are palimpsest where clashes of modern and old
culture appear on a daily basis.
Secondly, I have to admit that I am
aware of the specific situation regarding projects. This aim of
preserving and generating cultural traditions requires a
concentration of funds in one special area. New projects should be
commenced and realized efficiently. In my opinion, this action might
be planned for many years and finally each citizen should receive
comparable support. It is crucial to distribute the financial funds
evenly because each citizen pays taxes and ought to be given a
possibility of development. Otherwise, we can face a situation that
people from villages will start migrating to major cities and the
final result can be that most of the cities will be overpopulated
whereas the remaining land will be undeveloped and ultimately wasted.
Thirdly, many countries in the European
Unions receive subsidies for small cities which cultivate traditions,
still produce local food and strive to preserve the folk music. These
endeavours show quite a different if not a contrary approach.
Moreover, many universities are based in small or average-sized
cities. For instance, Oxford or Cambridge are not the major cities in
the UK, however, they host two of the best universities in the
country. The community which lives in the cities is composed mainly
of young and open minded people who care about the traditions and
shape new society. To my mind, this regions should be supported
abundantly.
In conclusion, there are some pros and
cons but in my humble view the financial support should be evenly
distributed. National traditions are formed by each citizen and
nobody should be marginalized. We have to ensure that this approach
will be taken into account and eventuall realized.
From my GRE essays collection:
ReplyDeleteThe major cities of each country serve as a reprentative of the whole nation or their country. Take Newy York, Paris or London for example, which became symbols of their own. These metropolitan areas allure many people worldwide, each for its own reasons. In order for this cities to maintain their status and grow they need enormous financial support not only from the local but also from the central governmental institutions. The claim that they should receive such funding is obvious and unquestionable and I agree with this completely. The reason behind is not only the culture and traditions the big cities cultivate, but also many other reasons including economics (these are working places for many people), education, entertainment, envirnments, etc.
To begin with, culture and social events are not aimed at making profits, therefore they need to be funded in some way externally. On the other hand such events and activities are vital for the wellfare of their citizens and for the nation as the whole. However, it cannot be asserted that culture and tradition develops only within big metropolitan areas – I would argue that for some countries – the traditions and culture are mostly cultivated in rural areas, where people are not exposed to, so called, modern lifestyles. Therefore, I would not point the culture and tradition cultivation as the first and foremost reason for cities' funding.
Big cities often provide, uncomparably to any other areas, opportunities of education grow, sports activities and arts events. These are hardly commercial-oriented, therefore need financial support. Prestigous and high-ranked universities allure the best people from all-over-the world and their research enable general scientific growth within all societies. Without research and scientists there would be no progress in people's life. Let us take medicine research as an instance – they enhance people's lives all over the world. Big cities also provide opportunities to grow within particular sport activities by offering suitable facilities and best trainers. Without it, no national sport achievements would be possible. Best cities provide the right infrustructure and access to the right qualified cadre in many sports. And last, but not least, arts is the area that in most cases thrives in large metropolitan areas. This is because these are the cities, that house enormous number of galleries, arts events and people interested in cultural way of spending their free time. As a confirmation for this let us take the places where major operas and museums in a country are located.
To sum up, many areas of human life, including culture, arts, social and sports activities, education and research and entertainment have best conditions to grow within country's major cities. As these areas of human life are hardly profitable on their own activity it is necessery for governments to provide support for them, because they contribute to the welfare of the whole society and enable national growth. Also as major cities are primarily place to work for most of their citizens, outside-work activities in the city make the lives of citizens more attractive and pleasurable.