Example 1

From the late 1800s, to the 21

st
century, the United States has been a powerful economic force in
the world. In 2013 our nations GDP was reported at a whopping 16.8 trillion USD, while China was
next in line at 9.24 trillion USD. It is safe to say that the United States of America exhibits produces a
tremendous amount of production compared to our neighbors around the world. But why does this
production phenomenon continue from year to year and, decade to decade? As a BYU research team, we
propose that the United States economy has maintained global dominance due to three main factors:
including access to and management of natural resources, immigration, and our educational, religious,
and moral traditions. In the following paper, we will exploresummarize how each of these factors have
lead us to become the most powerful economic force on the face of the earth today.
First, America is superior when it comes to our management of and access to natural resources.
From the our early beginnings, this land has been a choice land,, flowing with oil and honey, , if you
will. Oil, timber, and coal, along with our agricultural production, haves played a tremendous role in the
United StatesS economic success. More cCorn, which is used to produce fuel, starches, cereals, animal
feed and more, is produced inproduced in the United States more than anywhere in the world. In 2013,
the United States was responsible for 32.1% of the global production of corncorn production, well ahead
of our closest competitor, China, whicho produced roughly 24% (1). We also managed to export 20% of
the worlds consumption of corncorn the world consumed in 2013. Along with corn, the United States is
currently the largest global producer of almonds, strawberries, blue berries, soybeans, and sorghum, and
comes in while coming in a close second place with as an exporter of tomatoes and sSpinach (2).
Agriculture and agricultureal- related products like these hold a roughly a 5% share in our nations GDP
(5).
Along with aAgricultural production, the Unitetied States, since the early 1900s, has consistently
been a top producer in the global oil and gas market global market since the 1900s. This trend is
predicted to continue as in recentcoming years, as engineers have found a unique way to extract oil from
shale rock using a drilling technique commonly referred to as fracking.. Oil production in the United
StatesS exceeded 11 million barrels a day in 2010 and has only increased in the years since (3). Even
though other countries may have larger oil reserves, the US does not have the greatest amount of oil
reserves within its surface, we have continued be a top oil producer because our efficient means of
extracting the oil, as well as our effective management of it. US Pproduction of oil and gas contributes
approximately 2.5% to the nations GDP.
OBut il and gasthese arent the only natural resources that contribute contributors to the
American US economy. The United States, as earlier stated, produces a vast amount of timber compared
to the rest of the world. In 2010, the U.S. produced 304.43 million cubic meters of rRound wWood while
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Comment [O1]: I changed it to Times New
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Comment [AS2]: What are you quoting
here? The Book of Mormon?
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Comment [O3]: The Chicago Manual of Style
says that US doesnt need periods.
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our closest follower, Canada, produced with 136.7 million cubic meters of rRound wWood produced(4).
We produced mMore than twice as much timber as our closest competitor! This mass production output
of wood started before the 20
th
century and has continued until today. Timber and timber products
contribute to 1-3% of the USs annual GDP.
Overall, the USAmerican harvesting of agricultural resourcesproducts, oil, and timber, among
and other natural resources, hasve contributed to our nations GDP and helped us consistently
outperforming all others around the globe. It is important to note that the cause of our success is not due
solely to the abundance of these resources, but also to our methods of cultivating, harvesting, and
managing these resources. Our high rate of productivity This tremendous amount of production has
bolstered the US economy, and alloweding us to export many of our goods to foreign lands, provide jobs,
and sustain survival within our own borders.

Another large factor in the size of our economy has come fromis our countryies steady flow of
immigrants. From the very foundation of our country, entrepreneurs have eimmigrated from around the
world to the United States. Our history and past successes have been built upon the backs of our
immigrants. The American Dream is still alive in our culture today and immigrantsthey are at the center
of it. Immigrants are one of the main reasons for our robust economy and we can evaluate their role by
understanding why they want to come to the US, how much they sacrifice to get here, and the value that
the add to our economy.
The United States attracts immigrants from all over the world because of ourthe stable markets
and the industry- leading companies that operate here. The US government has proven to be the one of
the most stable in the world. We are grounded by a powerful Federal Reserve that serves as our central
bank. Inflation and interest rates are responsibly monitored. Although,And even though we have many
flaws, we still present less risk than most of the world, as evidenced . This can be recognized by the trust
that many foreigners place in our currency. The hundred dollar bill is held by foreigners because they
trust in the future value that it holds over other currencies.
Another reason immigrants want to come to the United StatesS is because they want to work for
one of the industry- leading companies operating that operates here. In 2013 almost 20% of the worlds
GDP came from the United States (6), partially because. (6) of theThere are so many companies that
contribute to our enormous GDP and provide opportunities for employment and growth.
The very process of immigration actually serves as benefit to our economy. ItThere can be a very
frustrating and demanding process to gain entry into the United States. This process serves as a
filterserves to filter throughof foreign human resources, and in theory, helps America select the best .
candidates. It takes ambition and persistence to apply for a visa or citizenship. It requires sacrifice and
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Comment [O4]: This should be hyphenated,
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Comment [O5]: This is a great statistic, but I
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money management skills to afford the applications and travel and temporary unemployment while you
search for a job. This intimidating process deters many people of those who dont possess these skills.
Through this screening many of the immigrants that make it here are found withhave above- average
talents and qualities.
Because of the immense sacrifices immigrants have made to get here, they enter the workforce
hungry and determined. They recognize the value of the dollar and the opportunities that they now have.
In a way, the immigration process develops the perfect entrepreneur. Immigrants They have given
everything they own to get to this positionwhere they are, so they have nothing to lose. They also have
nothing left to support their families with so they cannot afford to fail. In 2010, more than 40 percent of
the that years Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or children of immigrants . (7).
The value that immigrants add to our economy is immense. In 2010, Fortune 500 companies
started by immigrants or their children generated revenue greater than the GDP of nearly every country in
the world and contributed around $4.2 trillion dollars to our GDP. (8). These numbers dont factor in all
of the value immigrants added to existing companies that were started by non-immigrants. Not only does
Tthis not only increases our economy, but reduces the economies of other countries but by removing their
talented human resources. from other countries their economies are reduced.
In conclusion, allowing immigrants to come here has had a very positive influence on our
countryies economy and helps explains why our GDP is we are so much larger than so many other
countries GDPsother countries. If the government were to alter its immigration policies and hinder the
influx of foreign human resources we would lose our lead as the worlds largest economy.
Finally, oOther important contributions to the American economy come from our morals,
education, and religious freedom. These intangible influences have shaped our society and given uswith
strong core values. They have allowed for a culture and environment where intelligence and creativity are
amplified. As Americans have worked Working in unison with these principles, has greatly improved the
quality of our citizens lives has been greatly improved. One of our teams members grew up in China
and shared an insightful perspective on how our two countries compare.
Americas economy was built on the values of hard work, honesty, equality, freedom, and
opportunityies. These values are irreplaceable and unique strengths for our country and economy. We can
see their value when we examine review China, which has the worlds next biggest economy. Chinas
traditional views were challenged by the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 and the
Great Leap Forward movement. These movements paralyzed China politically and significantly affected
the country economically and socially. and socially by allowing Eventually the Chinese government
allowed for more freedom, creativity and innovation in their society, even though . Tthese changes were
very expensive to apply. However, iIn our opinion, the price that China paid to restructure human rights
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Comment [O7]: Wow! This is amazing. Go
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Comment [O8]: I am a little bit confused by
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and their culture exceeds the economic loss. We believe that the United States economy is so large
because it has been built upon a free, healthy, and functional society. As China has implemented these
changes we expect that they will continue to grow and develop their economy just as we have.
The structure and availability of the eEducation system in America has also significantly
contributed to the eEconomy. Education is a form of learning in which the knowledge, skills, and habits
of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, or research
(Dewey, John; 1916/1944; .Democracy and Education. The Free Press. pp. 14). According to the
definition, education is more than just an institution or system. It plays an important role in transferring
valuable information and passing down good traditions and principlesspirit. America and China both
highly value the importance of educating the rising generations but with take very different approaches.
American parents and educators believe in extra curriculextracurricular activities ums and
encourage children to explore different areas of interest. This type of wholesome and balanced learning
allows children to discover their talents and interests and develop into self-motivated learners. It also
stimulates creativity and problem solving. Parents and teachers are more accepting to individuals
differences so the children with special talents have opportunities to develop them.
In American college applications we evaluate test scores, personal essays, experiences, and other
achievements. On the other hand, the Chinese education system highly emphasizes academic
performance and achieving high test scores. Most students are trained to be good test takers because that
is the only attribute prestigious colleges look at.
A countryies economy is a complex system that requires strong problem solving and creativity to
grow and maintain. The American way of education is more likely to produce team players, free -thinkers
and entrepreneurs that who can work together and help our businesses grow. Under the The Chinese
education system produces , workers are being produced instead of free -thinkers, followers instead of
innovators. The vision and goals that America has instilled in its youth through in its education makes the
countrys economy it twice as large as the worlds next biggest economy.
In conclusion, we feel that the United States economy is the largest in the world because of its
efficiencyefficient management of and access to our natural resources, our ability to continualously attract
talented immigrants into our country, and because of our moral, educational, and religious freedoms and
values. As we recognize our strengths and build upon them, we believe that we will continue to generate
the worlds largest GDP and progress in lifting the quality of life for not just our citizens but for the entire
world.


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Comment [O9]: In-text citations generally
just have an author's name and page number,
and then a longer citation like this one is
included at the end of the paper. I would
check to see how the citation system you are
using prefers in-text citations to be done.
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References
(1) http://www.ncga.com/upload/files/documents/pdf/WOC%202013.pdf
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_producing_countries_of_agricultural_commodities
(3) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-04/u-s-seen-as-biggest-oil-producer-after-overtaking-
saudi.html
(4) http://knoema.com/kambpdb/world-timber-situation-production-exports-imports
(5) http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS
(6) http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/immigrant-entrepreneurs-and-innovators-across-
united-states
(7) http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/immigrant-entrepreneurs-and-innovators-across-
united-states

(8) http://www.economywatch.com/world_economy/usa/?page=full

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