Innovation is often driven by the pursuit of profit and economic growth. However, some argue that it should prioritize addressing social and environmental issues. Discuss both sides and give your own opinion.
In contemporary society, innovation serves as a powerful force driving progress and development. While profit and economic growth have traditionally been the primary drivers of innovation, there is a growing sentiment that social and environmental concerns should take precedence.

Advocates of profit-driven innovation argue that the pursuit of profit is essential for incentivizing investment in research and development. The promise of financial gain encourages businesses and entrepreneurs to take risks and explore new ideas, leading to the creation of innovative products and services. Furthermore, economic growth resulting from profit-driven innovation can stimulate job creation, increase standards of living, and foster overall prosperity. Without the potential for profit, there may be little motivation for individuals and organizations to invest in innovation, hindering progress and stifling economic development.

However, proponents of prioritizing social and environmental issues in innovation argue that profit should not come at the expense of society and the planet. They emphasize the need for businesses to adopt a more holistic approach that considers the broader impacts of their actions. By addressing social and environmental challenges, businesses can build trust with consumers, enhance their reputation, and create long-term value. Moreover, investing in sustainable practices can lead to cost savings, operational efficiencies, and resilience in the face of future challenges. Ultimately, prioritizing social and environmental issues in innovation can contribute to a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society.

The dichotomy between profit-driven innovation and socially responsible innovation is not necessarily a zero-sum game. Instead, there is an opportunity to integrate both perspectives and pursue innovation that delivers value not only to shareholders but also to society and the environment. By adopting a "profit with purpose" approach, businesses can align their financial interests with the broader interests of stakeholders, thereby maximizing positive impact while minimizing negative externalities. This requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to long-term sustainability, but the potential benefits for society, the economy, and the planet are immense.

In conclusion, while profit and economic growth have historically driven innovation, there is a growing recognition that innovation should also prioritize addressing social and environmental issues. By striking a balance between profit and purpose, we can create a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future for all.

A sample essay to work on

As well as making money, businesses also have a responsibility towards society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Real Past IELTS Test/Exam
Many socially conscious public figures have called on businesses to show greater responsibility to the societies they depend on. In my opinion, the reponsibility of a business towards society extends to ethical management of their own operations but not to areas largely outside their purview.

Large and small businesses are no different from individuals and have the same obligation to be ethical. Every business, conducting themselves in a just manner, will contribute greatly to the betterment of society. A local grocery shop that pays its workers a living wage, charges fair prices, keeps accurate books, and sells quality food taken in the aggregate with stores around the country, produces innumerable benefits for both staff and patrons. Large companies are no exception. If Apple pays employees well and builds quality products while adhering to environmental and economic regulations, they make the world a better place. In contrast, companies without moral compass like Enron, Purdue and Facebook exact a heavy toll on society in exchange for their services.

However, companies should not be forced to take responsibility for greater societal ills unless they are in some way culpable. A good example of this relates to education. The education of children and adolescents is the foundation of a stable, content society. Responsibility for education lies squarely with governments and parents, notwithstanding some private enterprise schools. If a company comes in direct contact with a school, for example by selling them textbooks, then the company is responsible for the quality of their products. If they pollute nearby land and students get sick, the company should bear full responsibility as well. In all other matters not under their direct influence, parents and governments take on the sole burden of care.

In conclusion, businesses are only in contact with certain aspects of society and they should not be asked to assume a full burden of responsibility. As free market companies become larger and supplant national governments this may require re-examination.

Word Count: 320

a sample to work on

Many people around the world use social media to keep in touch with other people and get the news. Do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from own knowledge or experience.
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Social media has been used by plenty of people worldwide to communicate with others and receive various news. This development has its pros and cons and I believe that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

To start with, social media has now been the main line of communication for families and friends as it is an easy and fast way to get in touch. It has enabled long-distance family members to get updates from the extended family. For example, through Facebook messenger, my aunt living abroad receives the news that one of my cousins is getting married, which could take months if this news is sent through the mail. Also, social media has allowed news from various countries to spread faster internationally. This can be beneficial to people who like to get updated by world news. For example, during my flight back to New Zealand, I saw one post from my friend in Manila that there was a system outage in the airport and flights were delayed before it hit the news. This enabled me to properly plan steps I might take at the airport if there were any delays on my flight.

On the other hand, utilising social media as a main line of receiving news is detrimental. There is a rise of fake news being spread. This can be harmful to a lot of people. For example, a famous actor in the Philippines was mentioned in a post where he supposedly stole chocolate bars from a convenience store. This story was proven to be fake and the person who posted the story now faces criminal charges. Also, the use of social media has led to plenty of people not socially interacting as it is easier to type than talk. It can negatively impact one's social skills as these skills are not being enhanced by the use of social media. For instance, recently met with a friend who is constantly scrolling through Facebook and she's more engaged on her phone rather than talking with me. She said to me that she was talking to another friend online.

In conclusion, social media has its benefits such as an easy line of communication and it can spread news easily but personally, the disadvantages such as increased fake news and decreased social skills outweigh the advantages.

A sample essay

In many countries, the government prioritises economic growth above all other concerns. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

Economic growth is a sphere that receives more attention than any other national domain in many states all over the world. The principal benefits of this phenomenon are lower unemployment and wealthier citizens, and the main downsides are higher costs of living for most and insufficient support for the poorest.

On the one hand, what makes that prioritizing economic expansion is beneficial for the public is the fact that fewer residents remain unemployed. This is because governments boost establishing various businesses, which will require many workers to operate. In addition, not only does a country become more powerful economically, but also many residents have an opportunity to become affluent. When companies generate more profit, it reflects how much money employees can make. In Poland, for example, 30 years after communism collapsed, average salaries offered for a middle-management position have tripled.

On the other hand, as a country’s economy thrives, costs of living increase. The most compelling reason for that could be the fact that since workers are paid more , their services become more expensive, which results in higher prices of many products. Moreover, in many cases, a state whose main priority is its economy offers little support for those who need it. If authorities believe that a strong economy is of the greatest importance, they are rather reluctant to offer help to those who do not contribute to the nation’s prosperity. To illustrate, when Donald Trump, who was a big advocate of a strong economy, became the president of the USA, the funds for jobless migrants were caught.

In conclusion, as with anything in life, prioritizing economic growth by authorities has its pros and cons. While more have jobs that allow them to become wealthy, costs of living are going up, and those who need to rely on the social care system are marginalized.