📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide

🌍 Topic: Can Economic Interdependence Prevent Future Conflicts Between Major Powers?

🌐 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

The essay requires analyzing the economic, political, and social dimensions of globalization. For B-schools, the topic reflects on leadership skills and understanding of global macroeconomic dynamics.

📚 Effective Planning and Writing

• Time Allocation:
  • ⏱️ Planning: 5 minutes
  • ✍️ Writing: 20 minutes
  • 🔍 Review: 5 minutes
• Preparation Tips:
  • 📊 Identify key statistics and stakeholders.
  • ⚖️ Prepare counter-arguments with balanced insights.

💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays

• ⚖️ Contrast Approach: “While economic ties have deterred wars in Europe, the Russia-Ukraine conflict reveals interdependence’s limitations.”
• 🌱 Solution-Based Approach: “Economic interdependence, when coupled with strategic diplomacy, holds the promise of lasting peace.”

📖 Structuring the Essay Body

• Achievements: Discuss examples like EU integration and trade ties between major powers.
• Challenges: Highlight risks like sanctions, overdependence, and rising nationalism.
• Future Outlook: Suggest enhancing international trade institutions and diversifying partnerships.

🎯 Concluding Effectively

• ⚖️ Balanced Conclusion: “While economic ties alone cannot guarantee peace, they are integral to reducing the risk of conflicts when complemented by diplomacy.”
• 🌍 Global Comparison Conclusion: “As seen in the EU and East Asia, economic interdependence reduces conflicts, but rising nationalism poses a challenge.”

🔍 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• Key Achievements: Stable EU relations, delayed conflicts via US-China trade.
• Ongoing Challenges: Sanctions, energy dependencies, decoupling trends.
• Global Context: Learn from cases like Estonia and ASEAN trade policies.

🔑 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• 🌐 Strengthen multilateral trade institutions.
• 📈 Develop diversified economic partnerships to reduce overreliance.
• 🤝 Promote trust-building measures alongside trade agreements.

📄 Sample Short Essays

• Balanced Perspective:
  

  “Economic interdependence fosters peace by increasing mutual losses from conflicts. However, geopolitical interests often challenge its effectiveness, as seen in the Russia-Ukraine war.”

• Solution-Oriented:
  

  “Building resilient trade partnerships alongside robust diplomacy can ensure interdependence acts as a reliable peace mechanism.”

• Global Comparison:
  

  “While the EU showcases the success of interdependence in peacebuilding, the US-China rivalry illustrates its fragility when national interests dominate.”