Polis is a publication launched by the Bristol International Affairs Society, to publish interesting and thoughtful work and essays from students of all sorts.

You can find us on our Instagram, or email us at polisbristol@gmail.com

Commissions are now available, and they are listed below, with a table of the commissions at the end. Text or email to claim before they run out!

Commissions

Essays and Features are to range between 800-1200 words.
Opinions are to range between 800-1000 words.

Politics

1. The worsening student loans crisis

The practice of student loans, introduced by the Blair government, has recently garnered much attention as Brits who went to university in England and Wales are having to pay back loans with interest rates exceeding 10% APR. 

Such extortionate rates of interest are unsurprisingly unpopular, and this essay would have you write on why we have student loans, what is going wrong with them, and how this loans crisis could potentially be solved.

2. Can the United States still be considered a hegemon? (Claimed)

Though the US is far from being insignificant, it would be an oversight to say the US remains the pre-eminent power it was upon the collapse of the Soviet Union. 

This opinion piece would have you come to a conclusion on how ascendant the United States remains, and how this trend is set to continue with the rise of contenders like China and increasing animosity across the Atlantic.

3. Reform UK’s optimistic prospects in Wales

Wales for much of the last century has been a Labour stronghold, particularly in the Senedd where they have been in power since its foundation under Blair. Though Labour is quite used to Plaid Cymru, a new and more insidious competitor is gaining ground in Wales, and that is Reform UK. This feature would have you investigate why Reform is gaining popularity in Wales, and what this might mean for Wales going forward.

4. What happened to the Arab anti-Israeli opposition? (Claimed)

In 1973, King Faizal urged the oil producing Arab states to follow him in embargoing states supporting Israel after the outbreak of the Yom Kippur war, causing an oil crisis in the west that crippled economies and tripled the price of oil for these embargoed states. This was in addition to sending expeditionary forces to help Egypt and Syria fight Israel.

Today however, it can seem as if the last thing many of these same Arab states want to do is directly confront Israel in any shape or form, despite their increasing belligerence in the region. What killed the will of these states? Is it adept diplomacy, Israeli military dominance, or something more dubious? If you choose this commission, these questions are yours to answer.

History

1. Why do revolutions never end as intended?

In France, a revolution originally aimed at curbing the excesses of the nobility and reforming the Ancien Regime ended up with a republic scarred by Robespierre’s reign of terror, and then an emperor you have likely heard of before. In Iran, what was meant to establish a republic and end foreign intervention did technically succeed in doing so – but now under the vengeful eye of the Ayatollah and his cronies. 

Why is it that revolutions rarely end up establishing their goals, and often end up in conditions comparable to what started the revolution in the first place? This commission will have you get to the bottom of why revolutions betray their ideals.

2. How does empire justify itself? (Claimed)

Imperialism has always carried with it a negative moral weight. It is for this reason that these empires often feel the need to justify their claims to land, repression of dissidents, and the exploitation of lands and peoples at the very least to help people sleep better at night. 

How did different empires throughout history claim their actions were virtuous? Why is it that European colonial empires had similar reasons between them? This article allows you to tackle these questions, through your choice of empires to dissect. 

3. How did British cuisine evolve?

It may be surprising to learn that Tudor cuisine is closer to Mughal cuisine than it is to modern British food, not just because of all the new foods and spices found in the Americas, but because they were quite similar in traits like adding currants to savoury meals, and a similar range of spices used in food. 

Why then, does India have Biryani and Britain the humble sausage roll, and where did Britain get its reputation for bland food despite some strong contenders for the title in Germany and northern Europe? That is what this commission would have you explore.

Culture

1. The politics of belonging (Claimed)

Britain is one of the more diverse countries in the western world, with many peoples being attracted to London or other cities to live better lives than they otherwise would have. After living somewhere far from home for a long while however, what was home becomes more alien as time passes. What’s more, the native population may not like these migrants for a variety of reasons, so can they consider themselves British either? Who even gets to decide who is British and who is not? Is a passport all that is needed? 

Such are the questions asked by this commission, that asks you to interrogate the politics of belonging in the UK, and what it is like to be caught between multiple identities and homes.

2. Are we lonelier than ever? (Claimed)

It seems the more tools we have to stay in touch with each other as technology progresses, the less people actually interact with others more generally. People are not meant to navigate life alone, we are social creatures after all. But the modern state of affairs may leave many people feeling as if they are doing just that. This commission asks you to match this feeling to reality, and to explain why people feel so lonely nowadays.

3. The algorithm that knows what you want before you want it (Claimed)

Everything you do online is meticulously catalogued and used to create a perfect profile of you that can recommend you everything from TikToks to products, and it is this system that keeps short form content so addictive. It knows what will make you laugh, what will make you angry, and what you like and dislike. 

What are the effects the all knowing algorithm has on our lives? In this commission, you will tackle this question.

If you have an idea, want to work with us, or want to apply for a commission, send us an email at: polisbristol@gmail.com.

You can also find the editors and people at the International Affairs Society on Mondays.