Chapter 5

Writing Guide: Politics, Law, Society

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Chapter Contents

IssueTopic

40

IssueTopic

45

Indicator of a Great Nation

Government Decision Making
Wilderness Areas Protection
Leader Term Limit
Politicians and Morality
National Leaders Effectiveness

113
112
113
112
113
112

Leadership and Responsibility 113

Questioning Authority 112
Flexible Laws 113
Law and Human 112
IssueTopic

Reasonable Consensus or Elusive Ideals 113

50

Immediate or Future Problems 112

Withhold Information from the Public 113
Society Overall Success 112
Unjust Laws 113
IssueTopic

Corporate Social Responsibility 112

55

Scandals 113

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Issue Topic

40

Indicator of a Great Nation

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

28 113 120
121 127 145
170
Ref-169
Ref-123
Ref-121
Ref-122
Ref-119
Ref-069 Ref-185 Ref-120 Ref-139

19

Revised
GRE Issue

028

28 The surest indicator of a great nation is represented not by the achievements of its rulers, artists, or
scientists, but by the general welfare of its people.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

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Revised
GRE Issue

113

113 Claim: The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
Reason: The surest indicator of a great nation is actually the welfare of all its people.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.
Revised
GRE Issue

120

120 Claim: The surest indicator of a great nation must be the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.
Reason: Great achievements by a nation's rulers, artists, or scientists will ensure a good life for the majority of that
nation's people.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.
Revised
GRE Issue

121

121 Some people claim that you can tell whether a nation is great by looking at the achievements of its rulers,
artists, or scientists. Others argue that the surest indicator of a great nation is, in fact, the general welfare of all its
people.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

Revised
GRE Issue

127

127 The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the
general well-being of all its people.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

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Revised
GRE Issue

013

145 The general welfare of a nation's people is a better indication of that nation's greatness than are the
achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

GRE ISSUE
170 The surest indicator of a great nation is not the achievements of its rulers, artists, or scientists, but the general
welfare of all its people.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

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41

Government Decision Making

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

16 50 86 114 115 139

45 79 160 202
Ref-115 Ref-118 Ref-120 Ref-114
Ref-119 Ref-122 Ref-128

Revised
GRE Issue

016

16 Some people believe that in order to be effective, political leaders must yield to public opinion and
abandon principle for the sake of compromise. Others believe that the most essential quality of an effective leader
is the ability to remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

Revised
GRE Issue

050

50 Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of
6

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the people they serve.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which
adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

Revised
GRE Issue

086

86 Some people believe that government officials must carry out the will of the people they serve. Others
believe that officials should base their decisions on their own judgment.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

Revised
GRE Issue

114

114 Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
Revised
GRE Issue

115

115 Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carry out the will of
the people whom they serve.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
Revised
GRE Issue

139

139 Claim: Major policy decisions should always be left to politicians and other government experts.
Reason: Politicians and other government experts are more informed and thus have better judgment and
perspective than do members of the general public.

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Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.

GRE ISSUE
45 Government officials should rely on their own judgment rather than unquestioningly carrying out the will of the
people whom they serve.
79 Major policy decisions should always be left to politicians and other government experts, who are more informed
and thus have better judgment and perspective than do members of the general public.
160 The most essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to remain consistently committed in particular
principles and objectives. Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little.
202 Unlike great thinkers and great artists, the most effective political leaders must often yield to public opinion and
abandon principle for the sake of compromise.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

42

Wilderness Areas Protection

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Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

10 125 148
83
Ref-101 Ref-117 Ref-091

Henry David Thoreau

, ,

19 20 , 1910
,
,

Revised
GRE Issue

010

10 Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state, even if these
areas could be developed for economic gain.

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Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In
developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and
explain how these consequences shape your position.
Revised
GRE Issue

125

125 Some people claim that a nation's government should preserve its wilderness areas in their natural state.
Others argue that these areas should be developed for potential economic gain.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

Revised
GRE Issue

148

148 Nations should pass laws to preserve any remaining wilderness areas in their natural state.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

GRE ISSUE
83 Government should preserve publicly owned wilderness areas in their natural state, even though these areas are
often extremely remote and thus accessible to only a few people.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

10

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Issue Topic

43

Leader Term Limit

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

8 111 149
70
Ref-130 Ref-127 Ref-129

Revised
GRE Issue

008

8 Claim: In any fieldbusiness, politics, education, governmentthose in power should step down after five
years.
Reason: The surest path to success for any enterprise is revitalization through new leadership.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.
11

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Revised
GRE Issue

111

111 In any professionbusiness, politics, education, governmentthose in power should step down after
five years.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Revised
GRE Issue

149

149 In any fieldbusiness, politics, education, governmentthose in power should be required to step
down after five years.

Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In
developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and
explain how these consequences shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
70 In any profession-business, politics, education, government-those in power should step down after five years. The
surest path to success for any enterprise is revitalization through new leadership.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

12

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Issue Topic

44

Politicians and Morality

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

104 107
43 167 169
Ref-118 Ref-164 Ref-113
nonmoralimmoral

Hans J.
Morgenthau Politics among Nations: The Struggle for Power and
Peace

Revised
GRE Issue

104

104 To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

13

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Revised
GRE Issue

107

107 To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
43 To be an effective leader, a public official must maintain the highest ethical and moral standards.
167 It is impossible for an effective political leader to tell the truth all the time. Complete honesty is not a useful virtue
for a politician.
169 Those who treat politics and morality as though they were separate realms fail to understand either the one or
the other.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

14

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45

National Leaders Effectiveness

Revised GRE Issue

94 147

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Ref-121 Ref-122 Ref-123 Ref-120

Ref-113 Ref-119

Issue Topic Analysis

Rousseau

Rousseau

Revised
GRE Issue

094

94 The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's
citizens.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

Revised
GRE Issue

147

147 The effectiveness of a country's leaders is best measured by examining the well-being of that country's
citizens.

15

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Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

46

Leadership and Responsibility

Revised GRE Issue

62

Old GRE Issue

89

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

16

Ref-129 Ref-127 Ref-138

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Revised
GRE Issue

062

62 Leaders are created by the demands that are placed on them.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
89 Leaders are created primarily by the demands that are placed upon them.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

17

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47

Questioning Authority

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

18
105 142
Ref-71
Ref-145
Ref-006
Ref-146
Ref-007
Ref-050
Ref-136
Ref-123

Revised
GRE Issue

018

18 The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
105 The true strength of a country is best demonstrated by the willingness of its government to tolerate challenges
from it's own citizens.
142 The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question authority.

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Your Thesis and Supporting Statements
Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

48

Flexible Laws

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

19

21
174
Ref-133 Ref-132 Ref-131 Ref-138

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Revised
GRE Issue

021

21 Laws should be flexible enough to take account of various circumstances, times, and places.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the
statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
174 Laws should not be stationary and fixed. Instead, they should be flexible enough to take account of various
circumstances, times, and places.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

20

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49

Law and Human

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

89
178
Ref-137 Ref-131 Ref-132

Revised
GRE Issue

089

89 Claim: Many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws and the legal system.
Reason: Laws cannot change what is in people's hearts or minds.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the reason on which that
claim is based.

GRE ISSUE
178 It is possible to pass laws that control or place limits on people's behavior, but legislation cannot reform human
nature. Laws cannot change what is in people's hearts and minds.

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Your Thesis and Supporting Statements
Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

50

Reasonable Consensus or Elusive Ideals

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

60
195

Writing Reference

Ref-140 Ref-116
Ref-139
Ref-162
Ref-138

Issue Topic Analysis

Aristotle
Machiavelli

Revised
GRE Issue

22

060

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 60 Politicians should pursue common ground and reasonable consensus rather than elusive ideals.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which
adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
195 The goal of politics should not be the pursuit of an ideal, but rather the search for common ground and
reasonable consensus.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

51

Immediate or Future Problems

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

23

19
56 211

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Writing Reference

Ref-126
Ref-124
Ref-125
Ref-092
Ref-110
Ref-092

Issue Topic Analysis

Revised
GRE Issue

019

19 Governments should focus on solving the immediate problems of today rather than on trying to solve the
anticipated problems of the future.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your
reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which
adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position.

GRE ISSUE
56 Governments should focus more on solving the immediate problems of today rather than trying to solve the
anticipated problems of the future.
211 Any decision-whether made by government, by a corporation, or by an individual person-must take into account
future conditions more than present conditions.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis

24

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Your Supporting Statement 1

Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

52

Withhold Information from the Public

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

69
8

Writing Reference

Ref-142 Ref-120 Ref-118 Ref-181

Ref-182 Ref-183

Issue Topic Analysis

Revised
GRE Issue

069

69 Some people believe it is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information
from the public. Others believe that the public has a right to be fully informed.
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Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

GRE ISSUE
8 It is often necessary, even desirable, for political leaders to withhold information from the public.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

53

Society Overall Success

Revised GRE Issue

85

Old GRE Issue

19

Writing Reference
26

Ref-139 Ref-140 Ref-162

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Issue Topic Analysis

Revised
GRE Issue

085

85 Some people believe that in order to thrive, a society must put its own overall success before the
well-being of its individual citizens. Others believe that the well-being of a society can only be measured by the
general welfare of all its people.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

GRE ISSUE
19 If a society is to thrive, it must put its own overall success before the well-being of its individual citizens.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis

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Your Supporting Statement 1

Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

54

Unjust Laws

Revised GRE Issue

65

Old GRE Issue

17

Writing Reference

Ref-135
Ref-134
Ref-131
Ref-132
Ref-136 Ref-137 Ref-138

Issue Topic Analysis

Aquinas

Revised
GRE Issue

065

65 Every individual in a society has a responsibility to obey just laws and to disobey and resist unjust laws.
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Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

GRE ISSUE
17 There are two types of laws: just and unjust. Every individual in a society has a responsibility to obey just laws
and, even more importantly, to disobey and resist unjust laws.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

55

Corporate Social Responsibility

Revised GRE Issue

130

Old GRE Issue

152

29

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Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

Ref-141
Corporate social responsibility

Revised
GRE Issue

130

130 Some people believe that corporations have a responsibility to promote the well-being of the societies
and environments in which they operate. Others believe that the only responsibility of corporations, provided they
operate within the law, is to make as much money as possible.

Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain your reasoning for
the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address both of the views presented.

GRE ISSUE
152 The only responsibility of corporate executives, provided they stay within the law, is to make as much money as
possible for their companies.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis

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Your Supporting Statement 1

Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

Issue Topic

56

Scandals

Revised GRE Issue

Old GRE Issue

Writing Reference

Issue Topic Analysis

31

4
185
Ref-143 Ref-181 Ref-182 Ref-183

Faster,
Higher, Stronger

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Revised
GRE Issue

004

4 Scandals are useful because they focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer
ever could.

Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting
your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.

GRE ISSUE
185 Scandals-whether in politics, academia, or other areas-can be useful. They focus our attention on problems in
ways that no speaker or reformer ever could.

Your Thesis and Supporting Statements

Your Thesis
Your Supporting Statement 1
Your Supporting Statement 2
Your Supporting Statement 3

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