Academic Writing for International Students of Business

Providing evidence

Normally your conclusions on a topic follow an assessment of the evidence. You must show
that you have studied the relevant sources, since only then can you give a balanced judgement.

 Study the following paragraph, which discusses the value of imports to an economy.

2.1:Argument and Discussion 93

Counterargument Your position

Some people believe that

homeworkers become isolated,

but this can be avoided by holding

weekly meetings for all departmental

staff.

THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTS

It has frequently been argued that economies benefit from exports, while imports

are a regrettable necessity. According to Inglehart (1994), for instance, import

controls play an essential role in preventing the unsupportable growth of trade

deficits. Governments regularly support export-orientated industries in the belief

that their success can strengthen the economy. However, a different view is put

forward by Goldberg et al.(2009). Their study of the experience of India after it was

forced to reduce import tariffs by the IMF in 1991 demonstrates that this led to

substantial economic benefits. By permitting capital goods to be imported more

cheaply, existing production could be achieved at lower cost, while there was also

a growth in the range of new products. Overall, manufacturing output increased by

25% in the six years after 1991. It appears that the traditional economic bias against

imports may well be unfounded.