issue170习作求拍，越猛烈越好

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170.The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general welfare of all its people



Should a nation be judged by the general welfare of all its people for whether it is great or not? The speaker hastily claims so while such a query puts me into a dilemma. Admittedly, I agree with this statement insofar as the general welfare of national citizens impacts the relationship between the nation and its people. However, I disagree with the assertion that the surest indicator of a great nation is only the general welfare except other factors which overemphasizes its importance and underestimates the magnitude of other achievements, such as economic strength and art achievements.

First and foremost, it cannot be denied that the general welfare of citizens is one of the most essential policies a nation implements to preserve people’s livelihood and provide considerate services to them in all respects. Among rights people are gifted, enjoying the welfare is the most fundamental one that cannot be deprived arbitrarily. Such a policy reveals the nation’s attitude toward its people which in turn indicates the society satisfaction and the public patriotism. None of the citizens will be thoroughly satisfied by the nation when they can hardly survive supported by the negligible welfare thus leading to the decline of public confidence in the government. As mentioned above, the quality of the general welfare is a crucial element determining the relationship between the nation and its citizens.

However, I disagree with the statement that, despite the merits of the welfare, that it is enough for us to concede a nation is great only by its national welfare which neglects the momentous roles played by other factors. A great nation has tremendous different definitions among individuals, which, personally speaking, contains both material and spiritual aspects. Considering the globalization nowadays, the economic strength rather than military force, which enormous people consider it as the paramount core of a country, promotes a great nation. Sometimes the rulers control the density of a nation and its people by formulating policies. While the Russia set up its massive military which is used to influence other countries, the Russians are bogged into a mire of poverty. On the contrary, the Switzerland holding the neutral policy is highly reputed around the world and has a stable and modern capital economy, thus ensuing its citizens an affluent life. Comparing two countries, I am more likely to consider the Switzerland as a great nation rather than the Russia.

Meanwhile, the technology and arts also affect a nation’s greatness. First, the development of a country necessarily relies on its technological progress which is concluded from the history of human civilization. The Industrial Revolution in 18th century leaded to the zenith of the British in which, once said, the sun never sets; Decades of years ago, the Information Revolution assisted the United States achieving its supremacy. The Silicon Valley is the center of worldwide high-tech industries and now Microsoft, Google, and Apple lead the tendency in representative modern technological fields. Second, the arts also increase the country’s influence in the world gradually. Various artistic works boomed during the Renaissance in Italy and hold a lasting influence on the world until now. The highly realistic linear perspective, for example, of which the development was a part of a wider trend towards realism in the arts like the human anatomy created by Da Vinci, has unraveled the axioms of aesthetics since then. Visibly, the national soft power contributes to the greatness of a country.

In conclusion, I concede that the general of welfare of all national citizens indeed promotes a country’s approaching to the great nation. Howbeit the achievements of rulers, artists, and scientists are equally essential for the strength of a nation. Furthermore, a great nation is guaranteed when all citizens are preserved and have the liberty to development and devote themselves to national affairs inversely.