IELTS Essay Topic #14 Government and Society

What Governments Can Do

  • Governments provide public services like healthcare and education
  • They support people who are living in poverty or unable to work
  • Governments raise money by taxing working people
  • They can spend money on resources and campaigns
  • They can introduce new laws
  • They can impose taxes
  • They can raise people’s awareness of issues (e.g. climate change/healthy eating)
  • They can influence people’s habits and opinions
  • They can create jobs/more job opportunities
  • They can regulate the activities of companies such as banks
  • They can provide resources for schools
  • They are also responsible for the security and well-being of their citizens
  • They control armed forces and police forces

Public Services

  • Governments pay the salaries of public sector workers like police officers and teachers
  • The necessary money is raised by taxing people’s income
  • Free education and healthcare may be provided by the state
  • Some governments control public transport systems and even TV channels
  • In other countries, these services are provided by private companies
  • Some people believe that competition between private companies is good
  • It helps to improve quality while bringing prices down
  • Other people think that essential services should be free
  • Governments should pay for them

Censorship: Opinion

  • Governments can censor what public sees or reads in the media
  • To a certain extent censorship is necessary
  • We should use censorship to protect children from violent images
  • Some computer games involve killing people or committing crimes
  • The Internet also needs to be controlled
  • Many websites show pornography and violence
  • There should be age limits for websites and computers games
  • Parents need to take responsibility for checking what their children watch
  • It is impossible for governments to control everything we see

Video Cameras in Public Places

  • The use of CCTV is becoming widespread
  • Video cameras have been installed in many public places
  • They are supposed to protect us and deter criminals
  • Many people think that this surveillance violates our privacy
  • The authorities could build databases with our pictures and identities
  • We should not be treated like criminals

Smart Cards: Positives

  • Governments will probably introduce a digital identification card system
  • Smart cards will have benefits and drawbacks
  • They could help to reduce crime
  • They could hold personal information, such as DNA
  • Digital bank cards could contain fingerprint information
  • It would be very difficult for criminals to use a stolen card
  • It would be easier for police to identify people and catch criminals

Smart Cards: Negatives

  • Many people are worried about losing their privacy
  • Governments could store all our personal and medical information
  • This information could be used by insurance companies
  • Employers could check our health records

People with Disabilities

  • People with disabilities should be treated the same as everybody else
  • They should have the same rights as other people
  • They should have access to the same jobs as other citizens
  • Discriminations against disabled people is illegal in many countries
  • Ramps and lifts for wheelchairs should be installed in public buildings
  • Support teacher can be employed to help children with learning difficulties