Submissions close 5 October 2026
The CAASS Essay Competition is an academic essay contest across four disciplines: political science, philosophy, international relations, and economics. The project brings together a series of lectures on academic essay writing led by the coach of Kazakhstan's national philosophy team, a webinar with the founder of a major student journal and public speaker from Duke University, and the review and analysis of submissions by students from leading European, Russian, and Central Asian universities.
Each question invites a reasoned argument for a position; there is no predetermined correct answer. Respond to exactly one.
In some states, power hardly resembles institutional frameworks like constitutions. Are deviations from the formally established order an inescapable part of how political systems function, or a corruption of politics?
Language is not just a mode of communication, but also a way of comprehending the world. Do the limits of language define what can be known to us, or does human understanding transcend linguistic boundaries?
World order has been governed both through formal extra-national institutions and through direct contact between states. Do international organisations and security protocols shape the balance of power more than bilateral state-to-state relations?
Economics presents itself as an objective science of resource allocation. Is it truly an impartial description of the world, or does every economic model contain subjective premises about how society ought to function?
Max 1,500 words · English · Chicago referencing · no AI permitted.
To help you defeat the fear of the blank page and see how strong arguments are built, CAASS offers free lectures on essay-writing and motivational talks from experts in the field.
Webinar Registration| Criterion | What we look for | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Argumentation (thesis & reasoning) | A clear thesis that directly answers the chosen question and commits to a position. Reasoning is logical and sustained; the strongest essays anticipate and answer the best objection to their own case. | 15 |
| Depth of research (evidence) | Claims are supported with relevant, accurate evidence: cases, data, texts, or examples appropriate to the discipline. A cited authority should do argumentative work, not serve as decoration. | 15 |
| Structure & clarity | Coherent organisation and logical flow from thesis to conclusion. Each paragraph advances the argument; transitions are clear; prose is precise and controlled. | 15 |
| Language & citations | Correct grammar, spelling, and register, with minimal mechanical errors. Complete and consistent Chicago-style referencing. | 10 |
| Total | 55 |
A clear thesis that answers the question and commits to a position; sustained, logical reasoning that answers the best objection.
Relevant, accurate evidence appropriate to the discipline; sources do argumentative work rather than decorate.
Coherent organisation and logical flow; each paragraph advances the argument; prose is precise and controlled.
Correct grammar, spelling, and register; complete, consistent Chicago-style referencing.
Essays are evaluated by a broader judging panel composed of university students. Institutions include: Nazarbayev University, American University of Central Asia, Moscow State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, University of Milan, Corvinus University of Budapest, University of Birmingham, University of Reading, and University of Bristol.
Winners receive a personalised debrief on their essay from the competition's head judges, the coaches of Kazakhstan's national philosophy team.
Winning essays are eligible for publication in Inspire Youth Journal, subject to the journal's peer-review process.
The top ten essays will be published on the CAASS website.
You can access the 2026 CAASS Essay Competition submission form by clicking the button below. Note that we only accept one essay per contestant. Good luck!
Submit Essay