Question: Nowadays celebrities earn more money than politicians. What are the reasons for this? Is it a positive or negative development?
Band 7.5 Essay:
It is a commonly observed trend that celebrities now outearn politicians. This shift can be attributed to several reasons. Despite some potential drawbacks, I believe that it represents an overall positive development.
The trend of celebrities eclipsing politicians in earnings can stem from two main reasons. The first reason revolves around the matter of marketability. Compared to politicians, the fame and charisma of celebrities often make them more attractive to companies for brand endorsements and advertising campaigns. They also have relatively fewer constraints in shaping their public image. Therefore, they can help companies boost product sales and enhance profitability. These lucrative deals can
significantly boost their earnings. The second reason, I believe, concerns the global appeal of celebrities. Celebrities, particularly in the entertainment industry, command an extensive and far-reaching fan base on a global scale. Their capacity to captivate international audiences often translates into cross-border earnings, endorsements, and collaborations that dwarf the salaries of politicians, who typically serve a specific region or country.
Viewed through a negative lens, this trend can draw attention away from critical political matters. The media and public fixation on celebrity earnings may inadvertently overshadow important political debates and discussions. However, my perspective emphasises the many benefits that this trend brings about. First, celebrities’ substantial incomes can stimulate various industries such as
entertainment, fashion, and advertising, leading to economic growth and job creation. Another benefit lies in the philanthropic endeavours of affluent celebrities. When celebrities earn more, they have the potential to contribute significant resources to address social issues and support charitable organisations. These actions serve as valuable complements to government efforts.
In conclusion, the ascendance of celebrities over politicians in terms of earnings is a product of market dynamics and their wide-reaching appeal. While it is true that certain aspects of this trend may have adverse effects, I believe it still represents a largely positive development.
Vocabulary:
marketability (noun): the fact of being easy to sell
fame (noun): the state of being known or recognized by many people because of your achievements, skills, etc
charisma (noun): the ability to attract the attention and admiration of others, and to be seen as a leader
brand endorsement (collocation): a statement made by someone in an advertisement, especially a well-known person, saying that they use and like a particular product
constraints (noun): something that controls what you do by keeping you within particular limits
far-reaching (adj): likely to influence many people or things
cross-border earnings (noun phrase): refer to income or profits generated by individuals, businesses, or investments that occur across national borders
inadvertently (adv): in a way that is not intentional
philanthropic endeavours: refer to actions or initiatives that are undertaken with the primary purpose of promoting the well-being of others and contributing to the betterment of society
affluent (adj): having a lot of money or owning a lot of things
charitable organisations (Collocation): an organization whose purpose is to give money, food, or help to those who need it, or to carry out activities such as medical research that will help people in need, and not to make