Wealth and happiness

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Opinion/argumentative essays 
25
WEALTH AND HAPPINESS
In nations that have already gained great wealth, any additional economic 
prosperity wou
ld not make people more satisfied. Do you agree or disagree?
Advice - You can fully agree or disagree or partially agree with both. You 
must make it clear at the beginning and end that you more agree or 
disagree. Moreover, 
the question is about ‘people’, not you. 
Any additional economic wealth would make people happier
•
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs says that we need basic things like food,
water, air, and shelter to be more satisfied. It stands to reason that
more wealth means being better able to have these basic needs met
for more citizens.
•
The quality of education will improve, which leads to more people
having free time. Free time with family and friends makes society more
content.
•
Consumerism can grow. People like to look and feel beautiful, and with
more discretionary income, they can do this.
•
Increased wealth in a state will also create better roads and transport,
which saves people time and prevents road fatalities.
Any additional economic wealth would not make people happier
•
The wealthiest country in the world, America, is not even close to the
most satisfied. America is ranked 30th, while poorer countries like
Nigeria rank much higher.
•
There are many examples of countries that are incredibly wealthy,
although this wealth is not evenly distributed. There is an affluent
class and an impoverished 
one. This wealth gap makes people 
more depressed. When one sees others living much better, it is very
stressful as wealth and happiness is relative to those around us.
•
Satisfaction in society has been proven by the UN to be related to
the facilities people have access to such as clean water, housing,
etc. Therefore it is not how much wealth a country has but how it is
distributed.

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Opinion/argumentative essays 
26
MY CONCLUSION
It is not easy for people in an emerging 
economy to be happy. Once they 
reach a certain measure of wealth, happiness depends on how the money is 
distributed, not by accumulating more. 
VOCABULARY QUESTIONS:
1. 
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3. 
4. 
5. 
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7. 
8. 
9. 
What is your definition of prosperity?
Do you know about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
Is consumerism a problem?
How can one calculate their discretionary income?
Is the rate of road fatalities improving in your country?
Where do affluent people live in your town/city?
What can be done to help impoverished people?
Do you think the gap between rich and poor will continue to 
widen?Are there any emerging technologies that 
make you excited?
10. What is the best way to accumulate wealth?