Philosophy, Politics and Economics Personal Statement

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

I question my political beliefs most when I try to understand what my ideal world looks like - this internal debate made me pursue politics. My Mexican heritage is deeply political: my grandfather was a Mexican revolutionary, my great-grandfather was a leading Communist, and his father a politician with fascist ties. My grandmother and great-aunt belonged to the socialist movement which evolved into today's Zapatistas. This inspired my Extended Project Qualification in which I explore the relationship between the Zapatistas and anarchism, reflecting my deep interest in the extremes of political ideology. I now wish to study political philosophy to analyse politics beyond the partisan formula; I believe there is an egalitarian alternative to our exclusive system. Researching anarchism for my EPQ changed my initial impression of it from a lawless and chaotic society to a vision that is structured and more orderly. Although anarchism inspires me, I am aware that it faces great obstacles: economic challenges, individualistic human nature, and the logistical need for hierarchy. I want to explore these paradoxes in my degree. I hope to cultivate my political scope, and equip my ideas with skills that will aid me in offering alternatives to our flawed system.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

My near-fluent Spanish allowed me to interview a former Zapatista leader, Comandante Elisa and has moved me to study abroad during or after my degree. After Latin GCSE, as well as a year of Ancient Greek, I have come to develop an interest in ancient philosophy. How were liberty and equality perceived in the paradoxical world of slavery and democracy? My interest in economics began when I took part in the Student Investor Challenge. I enjoyed exploring market strategy but wondered how 'socially conscious' investors navigate the free market when you have to win at someone else's expense. For my student newspaper, I write a piece on politics every half term. I educate readers on national politics; I strongly believe that an uneducated vote is a wasted vote and young people cannot waste the privilege of voting. In this role, I received the Highest Attainment Award in Politics.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Moreover, Carol Ehrlich's 'Socialism, Anarchism and Feminism' transformed my perspective of feminism. She states that anarcha-feminism demands a world without power relationships, eliminating any scenario in which someone can oppress another person, regardless of gender. This philosophy spoke to me - not just as a young woman who grew up in a household of women and in a girls' school, but as a human whose political outlook stems from a desire to contribute to the world's social development. I developed an interest in the mechanics of law when I shadowed two different barristers across two days - immigration and nursing law. I questioned the ethics of punitive justice, and whether alternatives such as restorative justice could be more effective. It is a potential career prospect for me, as it fulfils my deep desire to support others to overcome institutionalised obstacles. I am passionate about theatre: it has allowed me to refine my public speaking skills and my grasp on how art can be instrumental to political thinking. Having been born profoundly deaf (I'm now moderately-severely deaf), my passion for acting and classical singing helped me gain perfect speech when it was thought I would struggle to speak. I achieved Distinction in my Bronze and Silver LAMDA Awards and am excited to complete my Gold Award; I also attained a Merit in Grade 6 Singing and love singing in choirs. Growing up, I came to love fencing; I reached national level at age 11. I am eager to take it up from scratch at university - and possibly reach nationals again. My interest in journalism led to work experience at the BBC and the Guardian. At the Guardian, I created my own podcast based on 'Mumbo Jumbo', a fictional book about Afrofuturism - an insight into how an artistic approach can engage readers with politics.