Competition Overview
At the Harvard Political Review, we work under the mantra “timely, but timeless,” and asked submissions to strive toward this goal as well. While the Harvard Political Review is a non-partisan publication, we encouraged participants to take ownership of their opinions, conduct rigorous and thorough research, and demand attention from their audience through captivating writing. Authors were asked to respond to one of the five following prompts:
- In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s win in the United States presidential election this November, the far-reaching consequences of U.S. politics on the global stage are top of mind for many. From shifts in global economic partnerships to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the world is watching closely for how the change in administration will shape the coming years. Choose an international issue that you believe will be influenced by this election outcome. Write an opinionated article discussing why you anticipate change and the potential challenges or opportunities this change might afford.
- Today, the world is more globalized than ever, with a variety of institutions to support such integration. Write on the international institution of your choice, analyzing how it affects one or more salient international issues today.
- Former House Speaker Tip O’Neill is famous for bringing the phrase “all politics is local” into the public consciousness. Write an article analyzing an issue important to your home community and evaluating potential solutions.
- Whether in voting booths, classrooms, protests, or on social media, youth engagement in politics has taken new forms and importance in recent years. Investigate how the youth are influencing political decisions, either in the U.S. or globally. Highlight specific movements or individuals driving change and explore the potential impact of their efforts on future policies.
- Technological advances can quickly shape world events, whether it’s Starlink satellites supporting troops in Ukraine or AI bots spreading election misinformation on X. Write about an emerging technology and its implications for the future of politics.
Winter 2025 Global Competition Winners
Individual Category
High School
Champion: “‘Hollywood North’ at a Crossroads: the Future of Canada’s Film Industry Amidst Trump’s Trade War” by Ming Yu Jason Chen (Canada).
1st Runner Up: “Selling Paradise: The Commercialization of Hawaii and its Ramifications” by Calista Weidner (United States).
2nd Runner Up: “Astroturfing, Bots, and Echo Chambers: How Internet Comments Influence Elections and Election Perceptions” by Tsz Yau (Joanna) Cheng (United States).
Middle School
Champion: “An unearthly haze lies over the alluring fields of Gujarat’s rural ‘claim to fame’” by Aviva Shah (India).
1st Runner Up: “Are Trump’s New Policies Saving the United States or Helping China?” by Zihan Liu (Spain).
2nd Runner Up: “The Secret to Shorter FDNY Response Times: Wide Bike Lanes and Small Fire Trucks” by Madelyn Buksbazen (United States).
Team Category
High School
Champion:
“Selling Paradise: The Commercialization of Hawaii and its Ramifications” by Calista Weidner (United States).
“The Ghost of Bretton Woods: A World Trade Organization Crisis” by Ella Dang (United States).
“Brain-Computer Interfaces: Improving Lives and Deepening Social Issues” by Esalen Choi (United States).
1st Runner Up:
“The European Union: A Bureaucratic Ballet of Brexit and Borders” by Caitlyn Rodrigues (United Arab Emirates).
“Trump’s Step-by-Step Retreat from Global Leadership” by Aise Tamer (United Arab Emirates).
“Activism in Action: How Youth Participation is Reshaping American Politics” by Siddhi Rai (United Arab Emirates).
“Blockchain Technology: An Emerging Catalyst For Political Change” by Eva Chacra (United Arab Emirates).
“The UAE: A Shining Beacon Of Safety Within A Volatile Region” by Afia Suhail (United Arab Emirates).
2nd Runner Up:
“The Artificial Womb: the Challenge to the Fundamentals of Abortion Policy” by Yichen Elsa Liu (United Kingdom).
“Trump, Taiwan, and the Art of Unpredictability” by Matthew W (United Kingdom).
“The youth are influencing political decisions by using traditional methods such as walkouts
but utilising recent forms of engagement” by Chloe Sakura Lynch (United Kingdom).
“Expansionist aggression, Isolationist ambivalence and UN harmonisation” by Max Workman (United Kingdom).
“A Palm Beach Delema; Trump Versus Traffic” by Lauren Gutmann (United Kingdom).
Middle School
Champion:
“Are Trump’s New Policies Saving the United States or Helping China?” by Zihan Liu (Spain).
“AI: A Friend or Foe” by Adrian Rich (Spain).
1st Runner Up:
“‘Trust Me.’” by Jiraj Tanavongchinda (Thailand).
“AI In Politics: A Double Edged Sword” by Avik Mitra (Thailand).
2nd Runner Up:
“When Tragedy is ignored” by Shay (Czech Republic).
“Technological advances have fueled a rise in popularity for social media apps” by Rae Eberly Winter (Czech Republic).
“The Paris Agreement: A Global Effort to Combat Climate Change” by Veronika Vild (Czech Republic).
