GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Issue

34. “All citizens should be required to perform a specified amount of public service. Such service would benefit not only the country as a whole but also the individual participants.”
Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
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Andrew's Writing

I agree with the claims that all citizens should have be demanded to perform public service and that such service would benefit both the country and indivduals. In the following analysis, I will discuss the above two statements, respectively.

First, a compulsory public service should be demanded on all citizens. It is a chance that we realize other's need and show our sympathy through service. While we hear the misery stories from media everyday, most of us only think in our mind: "what a poor person ! What a terrible situation !" It is always easy to talk than to do. Although we want to help, we are often too busy to really devote ourselves to any events beneficial for this soceity. Only when public service become imperative to everyone, one can find no more excuse for contributing to the public. Everyone can do something for this society even if one is handicapped or instead needs others' help. Through public service, we learn to give rather than to take. Surely, we will also enjoy this joyful moment.

Then, public service is beneficial for both countries and individuals. A nation always needs some volunteer to do public service to help this country function well. Simply depending on the government, how can a country cope with the aftermath of 911, Harricane Katrina and, in Taiwan's case, the 921 earthquake in 1999 and SARS crisis in 2002. Without all those volunteery social workers, it will definitely take forever to pass through such disasters. Besides, while individuals contribute themselves to the public social work, they gradually realize the meaning of service, they know how lucky they are, and they feel the warmness by helping people to help themselves. Israel's military system provide the best evidence, all young men and women are requried to undergo the army and such a system not only benefit their country but also foster their love for the coutry. Consequently, they also learn and grow up from this experience.

In conclusion, I advocate that one should be required to perform public service, because our people, our society and our coutry, even our world, need those helpers. Only through our devotion, can we find the true happiness.

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Sample Essay:

The potential benefits of mandatory public service must be weighed against administrative problems and concerns about individual liberty. On balance, the costs to a nation and to the participants would probably exceed the benefits.

Admittedly, a colorable argument can be made for mandatory public service. It would help alleviate “free-rider” problems, where those who do not contribute benefit from the efforts of those who do. It would mitigate pressing social problems—with education, public health and safety, and the environment. It might instill in participants a sense of civic duty, community, and individual responsibility. Finally, it has worked on a smaller scale, particularly in urban areas, where renewal projects succeed in making communities safer, healthier, and more prosperous.

Far more compelling, however, are the arguments against mandatory public service. First, who would make assignments and decide what projects are worthwhile, and how would compliance be assured? Resolving enforcement issues would require government control, in turn requiring increased taxes and/or cuts in other social programs, thereby nullifying the benefits of mandatory public service. Second, a mandatory system would open the floodgates to incompetence and inexperience. Finally, the whole notion seems tantamount to Communism insofar as each citizen must contribute, according to his or her ability, to a strong state. Modern history informs us that such systems do not work. One could argue that mandatory public service is simply a tax in the form of labor rather than dollars. However, compulsory labor smacks of involuntary servitude, whereas financial taxes do not.

In conclusion, logistical and philosophical barriers to mandating public service outweigh its potential benefits for the nation as well as for participants.