Writing for the World: Why the John Locke Essay Competition Matters

(And How to Tackle This Year's Big Economics Question)

Are you the kind of student who loves to ask “but why?” Do you find yourself connecting economics to ethics, politics to philosophy or just wondering how we make decisions in the real world?

If so, the John Locke Essay Competition might be your perfect intellectual playground.

What Is the John Locke Essay Competition?

Hosted by the John Locke Institute, this international competition invites students to write thoughtful, argumentative essays on deep, real-world questions in areas like Economics, Politics, Philosophy, History, Psychology, and Theology.

Named after the Enlightenment thinker John Locke (who championed reason, liberty, and individual rights), the competition isn’t about giving the “right” answer, it’s about crafting a clear, compelling, and well-reasoned argument that shows original thinking.

Thousands of students from around the world apply each year, and winners are invited to Oxford for an awards ceremony. Plus, it's a huge boost for university applications—especially for those dreaming of Oxford, Cambridge, the Ivy League, or any top-tier school.

This Year’s Big Question in Economics

What kinds of behaviour are engendered by the hope of profit? Is such behaviour better or worse, on balance, than the behaviour we should expect if all enterprises were owned by charities or governments?

This is not just a question about money. It’s a question about human nature, incentives, and how society should be organized.

Step One: Understand What the Question Is Really Asking

There are two key parts here:

1. What does the hope of profit make people (and businesses) do? This is about psychology, incentives, and economic systems. Think of what changes when people chase personal or corporate gain.

2. Would things be better or worse if instead of chasing profit, all organizations were run by charities or governments? Here, you’re being asked to compare two different models of economic organization, and make a value judgment about which creates better outcomes on balance.

You don’t have to say one side is always better. You just have to argue clearly for which system tends to produce better results and why.

Step Two: Explore the “Hope of Profit” Side

Let’s think about what profit does to behavior:

Drives innovation. Entrepreneurs are often motivated to invent new products or services to make money. Think of how Steve Jobs pushed Apple to create iPhones, not out of charity, but from ambition (and yes, profit).

Encourages efficiency. In competitive markets, businesses try to cut waste and offer better prices to survive.

Creates inequality. The same profit motive can lead to exploitation (underpaying workers, harming the environment, etc.)

Focuses on short-term gains. Companies may prioritize quick wins over long-term good (e.g. fast fashion, addictive apps).

Encourages risk-taking. Profit is a reward, but also a gamble. That risk fuels entrepreneurship… but also leads to crashes (remember the 2008 financial crisis?).

Your job in the essay is to decide: do these behaviors, on balance, create more good or more harm?

Step Three: Compare with the “Charities or Governments” Model

Now imagine a world where all businesses were run by nonprofits or state institutions. What behaviors might we expect?

Less profit-seeking = less inequality? If there’s no private gain, maybe people wouldn’t hoard wealth or cut corners.

More focus on public good. Education, healthcare, and clean water are often handled better when profit isn’t the goal.

But… slower innovation? Governments or charities may lack urgency or creativity without the pressure of market competition.

Bureaucracy and inefficiency. Without profit incentives, there may be less motivation to improve or adapt.

Corruption risk. Power held by governments can lead to its own kind of abuse if unchecked.

Step Four: Add Philosophy, History, or a Thought Experiment

This is where your essay can stand out.

What would Adam Smith say? He believed that the “invisible hand” of profit often leads to public good, but also warned of greed. Marx and socialism? Karl Marx would argue profit leads to exploitation and call for collective ownership.

Look at the USSR (state-run economy) vs. the U.S. during the Cold War or compare private space companies like SpaceX to government agencies like NASA and think of how patents in Big Pharma affect medicine prices, or how nonprofits like Wikipedia exist without ads or profit motives.

You could also invent a thought experiment like this one: “Imagine a world where every company is a charity. Would we still have iPhones, or would we all still be using flip phones?”

Step Five: So… Which Is Better?

There’s no perfect answer.

You could argue: “Profit-based systems create more innovation and choice, but need regulation to reduce harm.” Or “Enterprises run without profit motives may be more ethical, but risk becoming inefficient or stagnant.”

Just make sure your conclusion reflects the complexity of the real world, not a black-and-white answer.

Why This Essay (and Competition) Matters

This question isn’t just about economics; it’s about how we want the world to work. And when students like you take time to think, write, and speak clearly about these things, you’re building the exact skills that top universities, employers, and global leaders are looking for.

So yes, winning a prize would be amazing.

But just entering this competition means you’re already joining the conversation and preparing yourself to shape the future. And if you’re looking for support along the way, check out the John Locke Essay Course at Think Talk.

It’s built for students who want to sharpen their ideas, elevate their writing, and submit essays that truly stand out. You’ll explore past topics, master the art of argument, and learn how to express complex thinking with clarity and style.

Whether you're aiming for the shortlist or just want to grow as a thinker, this course is your launchpad into one of the world’s most exciting academic competitions.

Let your voice be heard, because the future is shaped by those brave enough to question it..