John Locke Global Essay Prize 2025 History Prompts Breakdown

The John Locke Institute has just released the prompts for their international essay writing competitions for high school students. They have released three prompts for each of the following categories, philosophy, politics, economics, history, law, psychology, and theology. Each essay must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category, and must not exceed 2000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, endnotes, bibliography or authorship declaration). 

To be eligible to compete, one's 19th birthday must fall after June 30th, 2025. Given this easily satisfied requirement for high school students the world over, many compete in this competition, making it incredibly competitive.

The John Locke Competition is one of the most prestigious essay writing competitions for high school students. It ranks alongside the Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards as a humanities extracurricular activity that would impress admissions officers. Placing competitively in this competition could be what convinces an admissions officer at an elite university to admit an applicant.

One major difference between the John Locke competition and the Scholastic Writing and Arts Awards is that it has a right-wing, instead of a left-wing focus. Past winning essays have argued for fringe ideas like anarcho-capitalism. The John Locke Institute is committed to upholding the principles of classical liberalism espoused by John Locke, the founder of liberalism. Being liberal in Europe has a different connotation than it does in the U.S. While liberalism in the U.S. is associated with center-left politics like the Democratic Party, in Europe, it denotes what Americans would call conservatives, who believe in laissez-faire economic policies and upholding individual freedom to the point that it might enable individuals to infringe on the liberties of others, such as individuals having the right to deny service to people at their place of business due to their sexual orientation.

Despite the competition's right-wing focus, and the well-known left-wing bias of academics and admissions officers, high school students can place competitively without arguing for positions that would decrease their likability with a left-wing audience when applying to college.

We have extensive experience guiding applicants through this competition and are proud to have students who received at least a commendation from the judges. In this article, we will outline the three history questions they ask and provide resources, along with cliff notes for these resources, to help start one's journey towards drafting compelling answers to these questions.

History Q1:

According to Bertrand Russell, "Hitler is an outcome of Rousseau; Roosevelt and Churchill of Locke." To what extent was he correct? 

Historical Resources

Primary Works by John Locke

1. Two Treatises of Government (1689)

   • Locke's most influential political work, argues for natural rights, limited government, and consent of the governed

   • Specifically relevant chapters: Ch. 2 (state of nature), Ch. 5 (property), Ch. 8-9 (political society)

   • Establishes foundations for liberal democracy and constitutional government

2. A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689)

   • Argues for religious tolerance and separation of church and state

   • Establishes the importance of individual conscience and limitations on government power

3. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689)

   • Locke's epistemology, emphasizing empiricism and rational thought

   • Particularly Book II on experience as the foundation of knowledge

Primary Works by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

1. The Social Contract (1762)

   • Outlines Rousseau's vision of political legitimacy based on the "general will"

   • Key concepts: sovereignty of the people, general will vs. individual will

2. Discourse on Inequality (1755)

   • Critique of modern society and property rights

   • Establishes Rousseau's view of humanity corrupted by civilization

3. Emile, or On Education (1762)

   • Outlines Rousseau's educational philosophy

   • Contains important views on human nature and development

Works by Bertrand Russell

1. History of Western Philosophy (1945)

   • Contains Russell's analysis of both Locke and Rousseau

   • Provides context for the quote in question

2. Freedom and Organization (1934)

   • Russell's analysis of political developments from 1814-1914

   • Discusses the intellectual foundations of political movements

Contemporary Academic Resources

1. The Cambridge Companion to Rousseau (ed. Patrick Riley, 2001)

   • Collection of essays on Rousseau's thought, including his political philosophy

   • Particularly useful: "Rousseau and Totalitarianism" chapter

2. Stephen Hicks, "Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault" (2004)

   • Controversial but relevant analysis of Rousseau's influence on collectivist political thought

   • Traces intellectual lineage from Rousseau to various political movements

3. John Gray, "Liberalism" (1995)

   • Analysis of liberal tradition from Locke to contemporary times

   • Discusses distinctions between Anglo-American and Continental European political thought

4. Isaiah Berlin, "Two Concepts of Liberty" (1958)

   • Distinguishes between "negative liberty" (Lockean) and "positive liberty" (Rousseauian)

   • Essential for understanding the philosophical divide Russell references

5. James Sheehan, "Where Have All the Soldiers Gone?: The Transformation of Modern Europe" (2008)

   • Analyzes the different political paths taken in Europe and Anglo-American world

   • Provides historical context for how different political philosophies manifested

6. Mark Lilla, "The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction" (2016)

   • Discusses the intellectual foundations of various political movements

   • Analyzes the relationship between philosophical ideas and political development

7. Zeev Sternhell, "The Anti-Enlightenment Tradition" (2010)

   • Argues there's a counter-Enlightenment tradition that opposed rationalism and individualism

   • Explores Rousseau's ambiguous position between Enlightenment and counter-Enlightenment

Historical/Biographical Resources

1. Roy Jenkins, "Churchill: A Biography" (2001)

   • Comprehensive biography of Churchill

   • Discusses Churchill's political philosophy and influences

2. H.W. Brands, "Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt" (2008)

   • Analyzes Roosevelt's political development and philosophical foundations

   • Shows Roosevelt's balance of pragmatism and liberal democratic principles

3. Ian Kershaw, "Hitler: A Biography" (2008)

   • Standard historical account of Hitler's rise and rule

   • Analyzes the intellectual and political foundations of Nazism

4. Robert Wokler, "Rousseau, the Age of Enlightenment, and Their Legacies" (2012)

   • Detailed analysis of Rousseau's place in intellectual history

   • Addresses the contested nature of Rousseau's legacy

Key Questions and Issues to Consider

1. Interpretation of Russell's Quote:

   • What did Russell specifically mean? Is he making a direct causal claim or suggesting intellectual lineage?

   • Context matters: When and where did Russell make this statement?

2. Accuracy of Russell's Historical Analysis:

   • How direct is the intellectual lineage from Rousseau to fascism/Nazism?

   • Were Roosevelt and Churchill consciously Lockean in their approach?

   • Is Russell oversimplifying complex historical developments?

3. Contested Readings of Rousseau:

   • Rousseau has been claimed by democrats and totalitarians alike

   • The "general will" concept: democratic empowerment or potential tyranny?

   • Is Russell's interpretation fair to Rousseau's complete body of work?

4. The Nature of Anglo-American vs. Continental Political Development:

   • Historical contingencies vs. philosophical influences

   • Why did liberal democracy develop differently in these traditions?

5. Specific Political Principles to Compare:

   • Individual rights vs. collective identity

   • Role of the state in pursuing the common good

   • Constitutional limits vs. popular sovereignty

   • Pluralism vs. unity of purpose

6. Intellectual History Methodology:

   • How do we establish intellectual influence?

   • Are there intervening traditions that Russell ignores?

   • How much agency should we attribute to philosophical ideas in history?

7. Roosevelt and Churchill as Exemplars:

   • Were they consistent Lockean liberals?

   • In what ways did they deviate from pure Lockean principles?

   • How did they balance individual rights with collective needs during wartime?

8. Hitler and Rousseau Connection:

   • What specific elements of Rousseau's thought might connect to Nazi ideology?

   • Are there more direct intellectual influences on Nazism?

   • Is Russell being provocative rather than historically accurate?

Approach for Your Essay

For a successful essay in the John Locke competition, you'll need to:

1. Establish a clear thesis regarding the validity of Russell's claim

2. Demonstrate deep understanding of both Locke and Rousseau's core political ideas

3. Analyze specific policies/statements of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Hitler

4. Consider contextual factors that shaped these leaders beyond philosophical influence

5. Evaluate Russell's claim critically rather than simply accepting or rejecting it

6. Discuss the broader implications for understanding the relationship between political philosophy and historical development

The most competitive essays will likely acknowledge the partial truth in Russell's statement while providing nuanced analysis of its limitations and oversimplifications. A sophisticated approach might consider how ideas transform as they move through history, rather than assuming direct causal relationships.

History Q2:

Should anyone be ashamed of their nation's history? Should anyone be proud of it?

Historical and Philosophical Resources

1. Benedict Anderson, "Imagined Communities" (1983)

   • Foundational work on nationalism as a social construct

   • Explores how national identity is created and maintained through shared narratives

   • Discusses how history becomes selectively incorporated into national consciousness

2. Ernest Renan, "What is a Nation?" (1882)

   • Classic essay arguing that nationhood requires both shared memories and strategic forgetting

   • Famous for the concept that nationhood involves "having done great things together" and "wanting to do more"

   • Explores the selective nature of national memory

3. Hannah Arendt, "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951)

   • Analyzes nationalism's relationship to totalitarianism

   • Discusses the moral complexities of collective responsibility

   • Explores the dangers of uncritical nationalist narratives

4. Alasdair MacIntyre, "After Virtue" (1981)

   • Discusses the importance of narrative traditions for moral identity

   • Argues that individuals are embedded in historical communities and traditions

   • Relevant for understanding the connection between personal and collective identity

5. Martha Nussbaum, "Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism" (1994)

   • Argues for a cosmopolitan ethic against uncritical patriotism

   • Provides framework for thinking about the limits of national pride

6. David Miller, "On Nationality" (1995)

   • Defends a moderate form of national identity

   • Argues for the ethical importance of national belonging

   • Discusses how nations can acknowledge historical wrongs while maintaining identity

Historical Case Studies and Applications

1. Michael Kammen, "Mystic Chords of Memory" (1991)

   • Comprehensive study of how American collective memory has been shaped

   • Examines the tension between heritage and history in American identity

   • Explores how societies reshape their understanding of past events

2. Ta-Nehisi Coates, "Between the World and Me" (2015)

   • Reflects on American history through the lens of racial injustice

   • Examines personal relationship to problematic national history

   • Questions conventional patriotic narratives

3. Tony Judt, "Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945" (2005)

   • Details how European nations grappled with Nazi and colonial pasts

   • Explores different models of historical reckoning (German confrontation vs. French ambivalence)

   • Examines how collective memory shapes contemporary politics

4. Tzvetan Todorov, "Hope and Memory" (2003)

   • Analyzes different approaches to historical memory across nations

   • Discusses the ethics of remembrance and forgetting

   • Explores how societies can learn from historical wrongdoing

5. Susan Neiman, "Learning from the Germans: Race and the Memory of Evil" (2019)

   • Compares German confrontation with Nazi past to American handling of slavery/racism

   • Examines concept of "working through" difficult histories

   • Provides framework for productive historical reckoning

6. Kwame Anthony Appiah, "The Lies That Bind: Rethinking Identity" (2018)

   • Explores complexity of national identity and its relationship to history

   • Questions essentialist views of nationhood

   • Provides nuanced approach to pride and responsibility

Contemporary Theoretical Approaches

1. Jürgen Habermas, "The Postnational Constellation" (2001)

   • Proposes "constitutional patriotism" as alternative to ethnic nationalism

   • Discusses how liberal democracies should relate to their histories

   • Explores possibility of critical attachment to national traditions

2. Will Kymlicka, "Politics in the Vernacular" (2001)

   • Analyzes relationship between liberalism and national identity

   • Discusses how multicultural societies should approach national narratives

   • Explores positive aspects of cultural belonging

3. Bernard Williams, "Shame and Necessity" (1993)

   • Philosophical exploration of shame as moral emotion

   • While primarily about ancient ethics, provides framework for thinking about shame in relation to collective actions

4. Danielle Allen, "Our Declaration" (2014)

   • Rereading of founding American documents

   • Explores how flawed historical documents might still inspire pride

   • Examines relationship between critique and affirmation

5. Jeremy Waldron, "Dignity, Rank, and Rights" (2012)

   • Philosophical exploration of dignity and its relationship to community

   • Relevant for understanding how historical wrongdoing affects collective dignity

6. Jonathan Lear, "Radical Hope: Ethics in the Face of Cultural Devastation" (2006)

   • Examines how cultures can maintain identity through historical trauma

   • Provides framework for thinking about pride in resilience

Empirical and Psychological Studies

1. Michael Billig, "Banal Nationalism" (1995)

   • Study of how national identity is reproduced in everyday practices

   • Examines unconscious aspects of national attachment

2. Thomas Erikson, "Ethnicity and Nationalism" (2010)

   • Anthropological approach to national identity

   • Examines how ethnic identities relate to national narratives

3. Nyla Branscombe et al., "The Context and Content of Social Identity Threat" (1999)

   • Psychological research on collective guilt and shame

   • Examines conditions under which people accept or reject responsibility for group actions

4. Lynn Hunt, "Inventing Human Rights" (2007)

   • Historical study of how moral sensibilities evolve

   • Relevant for understanding changing attitudes toward historical actions

Key Questions and Issues to Consider

1. The Nature of Collective Identity:

   • What is the relationship between individual and collective identity?

   • How are individuals connected to actions that occurred before their birth?

   • Is national identity voluntary or involuntary?

2. Moral Psychology of Pride and Shame:

   • Are vicarious pride and shame coherent moral emotions?

   • What psychological purpose do these emotions serve?

   • Do pride and shame have different moral standings as responses to history?

3. Selective Memory and History:

   • Who decides which historical events deserve pride or shame?

   • How do power dynamics shape national narratives?

   • Is selective emphasis inevitable in historical memory?

4. Responsibility Without Guilt:

   • Can one acknowledge historical wrongdoing without personal guilt?

   • What are the obligations of beneficiaries of historical injustice?

   • Is there a distinction between responsibility and culpability?

5. Pride and Critical Engagement:

   • Are pride and critical thinking compatible?

   • Can one be proud of a flawed tradition?

   • How does pride relate to the concept of "patriotism"?

6. Practical Implications:

   • How should history be taught in schools?

   • What role should public commemoration play?

   • How can societies acknowledge multiple historical narratives?

7. Cross-Cultural Considerations:

   • Do different cultures have different approaches to historical memory?

   • Are Western concepts of individual vs. collective identity universally applicable?

   • How do postcolonial perspectives change this discussion?

8. Future-Oriented Aspects:

   • How does relationship to history shape future action?

   • Can historical reckoning strengthen rather than weaken national cohesion?

   • What is the relationship between historical memory and justice?

Approach for Your Essay

For a successful essay on this topic, you might:

1. Begin by establishing the philosophical question of whether pride and shame make sense as responses to actions we didn't personally perform

2. Explore case studies of how different nations have approached their historical wrongs and achievements

3. Consider multiple perspectives, including:

   • Nationalist views that emphasize continuity and collective achievement

   • Critical perspectives that emphasize responsibility for historical injustice

   • Moderate positions that allow for both critical engagement and attachment

4. Develop a nuanced position that recognizes both:

   • The moral importance of acknowledging historical wrongdoing

   • The psychological and social need for positive collective narratives

5. Consider the practical implications for education, public commemoration, and political discourse

6. Reflect on how your position applies to specific historical examples across different national contexts

The strongest essays will likely avoid simplistic answers in either direction, recognizing that both uncritical pride and undifferentiated shame can distort our relationship to history. A sophisticated approach might develop a framework for appropriate pride and shame that acknowledges both moral agency and historical embeddedness.

History Q3:

Which figure in history did most to enlarge human freedom?

Biographical and Historical Resources

Ancient World Figures

1. Solon of Athens

   • Sarah Pomeroy, et al., "Ancient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History"

     • Covers Solon's constitutional reforms that limited aristocratic power

     • Discusses the ending of debt slavery and expansion of citizenship rights

2. Cyrus the Great

   • Tom Holland, "Persian Fire"

     • Explores Cyrus's unusual religious tolerance and multicultural empire

     • Documents the liberation of Jews from Babylonian captivity and policy of respecting local customs

3. Spartacus

   • Barry Strauss, "The Spartacus War"

     • Comprehensive account of the largest slave rebellion in ancient Rome

     • Examines Spartacus as both historical figure and freedom symbol

Enlightenment Thinkers

1. John Locke

   • John Dunn, "The Political Thought of John Locke"

     • Analysis of Locke's theory of natural rights and consent of the governed

     • Explores the intellectual foundations of liberal democracy

2. Mary Wollstonecraft

   • Sylvana Tomaselli, "Wollstonecraft: Philosophy, Passion, and Politics"

     • Examines Wollstonecraft's pioneering arguments for women's rights

     • Places her work in context of Enlightenment thinking on liberty

3. Voltaire

   • Ian Davidson, "Voltaire: A Life"

     • Documents Voltaire's campaigns against religious persecution

     • Examines his influence on concepts of free speech and secularism

Political Leaders and Revolutionaries

1. Abraham Lincoln

   • Eric Foner, "The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery"

     • Traces Lincoln's evolution on slavery and emancipation

     • Analyzes the Emancipation Proclamation and its consequences

2. Mohandas Gandhi

   • Ramachandra Guha, "Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World"

     • Comprehensive biography of Gandhi's life and movement

     • Examines Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance and its global impact

3. Nelson Mandela

   • Tom Lodge, "Mandela: A Critical Life"

     • Scholarly biography of Mandela beyond the myths

     • Analyzes his strategic decisions in ending apartheid

4. Václav Havel

   • Michael Žantovský, "Havel: A Life"

     • Biography of the dissident playwright who led Czechoslovakia from communism

     • Explores his philosophy of "living in truth" as resistance

5. Toussaint Louverture

   • Sudhir Hazareesingh, "Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture"

     • Examines the leader of the Haitian Revolution

     • Explores significance of the first successful slave rebellion

Social Movement Leaders

1. Martin Luther King Jr.

   • Taylor Branch, "Parting the Waters: America in the King Years"

     • Detailed account of King's leadership in the civil rights movement

     • Documents King's philosophy and strategy for expanding freedom

2. Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton

   • Ellen Carol DuBois, "Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote"

     • Chronicles the decades-long struggle for women's suffrage

     • Examines how these leaders expanded conceptions of citizenship

3. William Wilberforce

   • William Hague, "William Wilberforce: The Life of the Great Anti-Slave Trade Campaigner"

     • Documents Wilberforce's parliamentary campaign against the slave trade

     • Analyzes his abolitionist strategies and their global effects

Theoretical and Conceptual Resources

1. Isaiah Berlin, "Two Concepts of Liberty"

   • Distinguishes between "negative liberty" (freedom from interference) and "positive liberty" (freedom to fulfill potential)

   • Essential framework for analyzing different conceptions of freedom

2. Amartya Sen, "Development as Freedom"

   • Argues that development should be seen as expanding human capabilities

   • Provides framework for considering economic and social dimensions of freedom

3. Orlando Patterson, "Freedom in the Making of Western Culture"

   • Traces the historical development of freedom as a value

   • Examines paradoxical relationship between slavery and freedom

4. Philip Pettit, "Republicanism: A Theory of Freedom and Government"

   • Develops concept of "freedom as non-domination"

   • Useful for evaluating republican traditions of freedom

5. Hannah Arendt, "On Revolution"

   • Compares American and French revolutions

   • Explores relationship between freedom and political participation

Comparative and Synthetic Resources

1. Timothy Garton Ash, "Facts Are Subversive: Political Writing from a Decade Without a Name"

   • Contains essays comparing different freedom movements

   • Analyzes how freedom has been conceptualized across cultures

2. Lynn Hunt, "Inventing Human Rights"

   • Traces the historical development of human rights discourse

   • Examines how concepts of freedom evolved through declarations and activism

3. Jonathan Israel, "Radical Enlightenment"

   • Argues for the importance of Spinoza and radical thinkers

   • Provides intellectual history of freedom concepts

4. Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, "Empire"

   • Contemporary theoretical perspective on globalization and freedom

   • Offers critical perspective on Western narratives of freedom

5. Kwame Anthony Appiah, "The Ethics of Identity"

   • Explores tension between group identity and individual freedom

   • Provides cosmopolitan perspective on freedom across cultures

Key Questions and Issues to Consider

1. Definitions of Freedom:

   • What counts as "freedom"? Political, economic, intellectual, or spiritual?

   • How do negative and positive conceptions of liberty differ?

   • Should we prioritize freedom from oppression or freedom to participate?

2. Scope and Scale:

   • Should we measure impact by numbers affected or by depth of transformation?

   • Is someone who freed millions from one specific constraint more significant than someone who expanded multiple freedoms for fewer people?

   • How do we weigh immediate versus long-term impacts?

3. Direct versus Indirect Influence:

   • Is a theorist who inspired others more important than the activist who implemented ideas?

   • How do we attribute causality in complex historical processes?

   • Should intellectual foundations count as much as direct action?

4. Cultural and Historical Context:

   • How do we compare figures across vastly different historical contexts?

   • Is expanding freedom in one historical context more significant than in another?

   • How do we account for different cultural conceptions of freedom?

5. Contradictions and Limitations:

   • How do we evaluate figures with mixed legacies on freedom?

   • What about liberators who were themselves oppressors in other contexts?

   • How should we weigh personal flaws against public achievements?

6. Western Bias:

   • Does the question itself contain Western assumptions about freedom?

   • How can we fairly evaluate non-Western conceptions of freedom?

   • Are there important figures from non-Western traditions being overlooked?

7. Individual versus Collective Agency:

   • Can historical change really be attributed to individuals?

   • How do we balance recognizing individual leaders versus movements?

   • Is focusing on "great individuals" itself a limited approach to history?

8. Types of Enlargement:

   • Breaking chains of existing oppression versus establishing new freedoms

   • Codifying principles versus changing cultural attitudes

   • Legal freedom versus substantive freedom

Approach for Your Essay

For a successful essay on this challenging topic, consider:

1. Establish Clear Criteria: Define what you mean by "freedom" and "enlargement" at the outset. Your choice will significantly affect your answer.

2. Consider Multiple Dimensions: Acknowledge different types of freedom (political, economic, intellectual, etc.) and how they interact.

3. Make Comparative Arguments: Rather than simply asserting one figure as most important, show why your chosen figure had greater impact than other plausible candidates.

4. Address Counterarguments: Anticipate objections to your choice and engage with them honestly.

5. Historical Context: Show awareness of how each figure operated within their historical constraints.

6. Legacy and Long-term Impact: Consider not just immediate effects but enduring influence.

7. Methodological Humility: Acknowledge the inherent difficulties in making such comparative judgments across history.

The strongest essays will likely avoid simplistic heroic narratives while still making a clear, defensible claim about which historical figure did most to enlarge human freedom according to carefully specified criteria.

If you are overwhelmed by the number of sources and complexity of answering these questions, we understand. English teachers don't prepare high school students to tackle such formidable challenges in the humanities. But we do. Schedule a free consultation with a John Locke Essay Writing Competition expert today and learn how to unpack all of these sources to write a coherent and logically sound 2000 word essay which will earn you a competitive placing in this competition and impress admission officers.