📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide

🌍 Topic: Can International Trade Agreements Reduce the Risk of Future Conflicts Between Nations?

📖 Understanding the Topic’s Importance

💡 Trade agreements are central to global economic stability and diplomacy. For B-schools, understanding these agreements provides insights into market dynamics and geopolitical strategies.

🕒 Effective Planning and Writing

• ⏱️ Time Allocation:
  • Planning: 5 minutes
  • Writing: 20 minutes
  • Review: 5 minutes
• 📚 Preparation Tips:
  • Highlight major agreements like RCEP and USMCA.
  • Use historical precedents such as the EU’s role in peacekeeping.

✍️ Introduction Techniques for Essays

• ⚖️ Contrast Approach:
  

  “Despite trade fostering collaboration, disputes like U.S.-China tariff wars highlight its limitations in resolving conflicts.”

• 💡 Solution-Based Approach:
  

  “International trade agreements can be redesigned to better address conflict prevention alongside economic goals.”

• 🕰️ Timeline Approach:
  

  “From the Silk Road to the WTO, trade agreements have evolved as tools for stability, yet gaps remain.”

📚 Structuring the Essay Body

• 🏆 Achievements:
  

  • Case Study: The EU as a peace model, fostering collaboration among former adversaries.
  • Data: RCEP represents 30% of global GDP, underscoring shared economic interests reducing conflict risks.

• ⚠️ Challenges:
  

  • Example: Brexit’s impact on EU trade relations, highlighting political divides within trade agreements.
  • Data: $1 trillion cost due to trade conflicts, according to the World Bank (2022).

• 🌏 Future Outlook:
  

  • Propose inclusive frameworks that address both economic and political conflicts.
  • Include conflict mitigation clauses in trade agreements to handle disputes proactively.

🔑 Concluding Effectively

• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective:
  

  “Trade agreements foster peace but need holistic approaches to address non-economic disputes.”

• 🌍 Global Comparison:
  

  “Learning from EU integration and ASEAN’s success could guide future frameworks.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• 🏆 Key Achievements:
  

  • Economic interdependence reduces incentives for conflict.
  • Enhanced collaboration among nations through shared goals.

• ⚠️ Ongoing Challenges:
  

  • Rising nationalism and protectionist policies hinder trade agreements’ effectiveness.
  • Lack of universal enforcement mechanisms weakens global compliance.

• 🌏 Global Context:
  

  • The EU’s success contrasts with Brexit’s divisive fallout.
  • ASEAN and RCEP offer lessons in balancing regional priorities with global trade goals.

🌱 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

• 📜 Prioritize equitable trade practices to ensure all parties benefit fairly.
• 📈 Enhance multilateral enforcement mechanisms for better compliance.
• 🤝 Include conflict resolution clauses in trade agreements to proactively address disputes.

📄 Sample Short Essays

• ⚖️ Balanced Perspective:
  

  “While trade agreements reduce tensions through interdependence, they are no panacea for geopolitical disputes.”

• 💡 Solution-Oriented:
  

  “Integrating conflict-resolution mechanisms in trade agreements could redefine their role in fostering global peace.”

• 🌍 Global Comparison:
  

  “The EU demonstrates trade agreements’ potential to ensure peace, contrasting with challenges faced by ASEAN and RCEP.”