📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide
🌐 The Impact of Populism on Modern Democracy
🔍 Understanding the Topic’s Importance
Populism redefines governance in democracies worldwide. Its focus on immediate public concerns, while bypassing traditional institutions, raises questions about its sustainability and ethicality in modern governance.
📅 Effective Planning and Writing
- 🕒 Time Allocation:
- Planning: 5 minutes
- Writing: 20 minutes
- Review: 5 minutes
- 📖 Preparation Tips: Note key populist examples and their impacts.
💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays
- ⚖️ Contrast Approach: “While populism brings people closer to decision-making, it risks dismantling the democratic pillars it seeks to reform.”
- 📜 Timeline Approach: “From Brexit to Bolsonaro, populism’s evolution over the past decade highlights its growing global influence.”
🛠️ Structuring the Essay Body
- 🏆 Achievements: Focus on increased public participation and accountability in countries like India and the US.
- ⚠️ Challenges: Highlight risks like democratic backsliding, using Hungary and Brazil as examples.
- 🔮 Future Outlook: Recommend strengthening institutions to counter populist overreach.
📝 Concluding Effectively
- ⚖️ Balanced Perspective: “Populism is both a symptom and a force in modern democracies, demanding nuanced responses to preserve democratic ideals.”
- 🌍 Global Comparison: “While Nordic democracies balance populism with inclusivity, other nations struggle to contain its adverse effects.”
🔍 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings
- 🌟 Achievements: Broader political engagement, spotlight on inequality.
- ⚠️ Challenges: Weakening democratic institutions, fostering divisive rhetoric.
🔍 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress
- 📚 Promote civic education to empower voters.
- 🏛️ Enhance institutional checks to safeguard democracy.
🖋️ Sample Short Essays
✨ Balanced Perspective:
“Populism addresses citizens’ frustrations but often undermines democratic norms, as seen in the US and Brazil.”
💡 Solution-Oriented:
“Strengthening institutional frameworks and encouraging political education can counter populism’s excesses.”
🌍 Global Comparison:
“While Nordic populism inspires trust, its counterparts in Latin America highlight risks to governance.”