High School Essay Contest

Throughout history, those studying politics have believed that the world is on the cusp of change. Our era is not unique in holding that perspective, and the variety of conflicts, currents, and transnational threats we face today reinforces the notion that we face a moment of transition. This theme, the same as GJIA’s 27th print theme, invites high school students to focus on the lessons that states, peoples, and movements can and should learn from one another, across both time periods and place. This theme will examine new and old orders in international relations, specifically probing how those orders have formed and compare to one another. Articles are encouraged to adopt a comparative lens: looking at parallels among political and economic actors, state policies and institutions, transnational and social movements, internal and external conflicts, and technological innovation, among other topics.

Any global reorder inherently centers around transitions and changes in power. For instance, an article in this edition might look at how a country’s use of soft and hard power has evolved over time, and what that government might do to continue to exert its influence on the global stage. Authors are also encouraged to analyze shifts in state-society relationships and the reshaping of civic participation, drawing parallels between different movements and exploring the evolving conceptions of legitimacy. Another article could examine how emerging economies navigate transitions to new energy systems and draw lessons from other countries navigating similar shifts. Whatever the topic area—whether it be society and culture, business and economics, or conflict and security—the articles should aim to analyze continuity and change in specific countries or systems, provide an original critique, and conclude with a policy-oriented application.

The essay contest will be launched in late December or early January. Please check this webpage regularly for updates.