2026 Minds Underground™ Politics Essay Competition
The Minds Underground™ Politics Essay Competition invites students in Year 12 (though younger applicants and Year 13 re-applicants are also welcome) to engage critically with key questions in global and domestic politics. This competition encourages students to explore themes of democracy, justice, international relations, and governance, developing the analytical and evaluative skills prized by top universities.
Entrants must choose one question to answer.
The 2026 Minds Underground Politics Essay Competition questions are now live. Submit by 3 April 2026!
2026 Politics Competition Questions
01.
Has democracy reached its peak?
02.
Do nations have moral obligations beyond their borders?
03.
Is global governance possible?
How to Approach Your Essay
Politics essays should go beyond summarising events - the best entries demonstrate independent thought, evidence-based reasoning, and awareness of competing perspectives.
Define key political concepts clearly (e.g., democracy, sovereignty, moral duty).
Use examples from history, international relations, or current affairs to support your points.
Engage with counterarguments and show awareness of political theory or philosophical frameworks.
Strong essays will balance critical insight with clarity and structure, presenting an original argument that reflects your engagement with real-world issues.
Why Enter the Minds Underground™ Politics Essay Competition?
This competition gives students a chance to deepen their understanding of political systems and global challenges while building skills for Oxbridge, PPE, or Politics/IR university applications. Many entrants use their essays to strengthen their personal statements or prepare for interviews and admissions tests.
Submission Details
Eligibility: Students in Year 12, UK & international (younger entrants are also welcome)
Word Count: 1,000–1,500 words (citations included; bibliography excluded)
Referencing: Harvard Style
Format: PDF or Word document
Deadline: 3 April 2026
Submit to: See Google Form at the top of the page.
Are you in Year 11/12 & Thinking of Pursuing Politics at Degree Level/ Oxbridge?
We offer a range of exciting opportunities for students aspiring to a degree in Politics at a leading university:
Research Projects in exciting current fields with subject experts
Weekly debate club to hone critical discussion and argument building skills
Politics Summer School for university/ Oxbridge applicants
Long-term Oxbridge Politics/ PPE mentoring: Boosting knowledge beyond the curriculum, preparing for personal statement and interviews - visit our on-curriculum site, U2 Tuition for more information: https://www.u2tuition.com/university-applications
Interested in a Politics competition Mentor? Looking for specialist support researching & writing? Our Oxbridge-educated masterminds are here to help! Sessions from £75/h + VAT. Enquire here
Past Questions
01.
What is the point of international relations as a discipline? By artificially dividing politics between the international and domestic are we losing something?
The crux of this question is the divide between domestic and international politics. Does the latter have its own district logics and political forms that necessitates a separate discipline with its own concepts? Whatever side you come down to on this question, make sure that you directly address it.
02.
Is our society based on an irresolvable conflict of interests?
There is no right or wrong answer to this, but it is useful to take clear position on it. You can then add nuance and empirical examples.
03.
Does the politics of global warming show that the nation state is an outdated political artefact?
There are two parts to this. Does global warming necessitate a new form of politics? Is the nation state able to address this?
N.B. You may be interested in undertaking one of MU’s online masterclasses with our subject experts to give you ideas and help direct your research. Check out the examples below!
During this masterclass, you will look at different ways to divide up law (civil/common, private public), before moving onto studying the basics of the constitution. You will look at the three branches of government (Parliament, the judiciary and the executive) and the reasons for the separation of powers, the concept of Parliamentary sovereignty, and the theory of the constitution, before applying these concepts to a case such as that of Jackson v AG.
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.
This masterclass will explore the state of democracy in the UK today. Is our democracy truly in crisis? If true and elected governments are no longer delivering the "will" of the electorate, then are the electorate bound to give effect to the laws that they pass? Is the concept of "crisis" in democracy novel to our time? Is it historically unresolvable?
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.
In this masterclass you will look at Mill and his views on the limits of political power as written about in On Liberty. You will discuss his focus not just on limiting the powers that be, but also preventing the tyranny of the majority. You will explain and justify the Harm Principle, before moving onto the reasons that different philosophers justify interference in liberty in contradiction to the Harm Principle. This includes Paternalism, Offence, and Choice Limitation. What are the differences between positive and negative rights?
Duration: Suggested 1-2 hours, dependent on the level of detail desired.