The Reasons I’m Interested In A Degree In Politics, Philosophy, And Economics
A few weeks ago, I received news of the Supreme Court passing the Aadhar Bill like a punch in the gut. In India, where I live, this was the first centralised identification for many: an opportunity for the government to streamline public distribution and control the growth of black money. However, the only dissenting judge’s opinion that Aadhar, the Indian state’s biometric and demographic database, is a violation of the fundamental right to privacy resonated with me. For the last 5 years, I have been tracking debates around Aadhar and have observed economic, political, and social logics in support and in conflict with each other. I would like to study this interaction further through a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics.
The gathering of biometric data, linked to other personal information, raises questions about the impact of surveillance on societies. Through my Sociology project, I explored the connection between Foucault’s description of panopticism in ‘Discipline and Punish’, which states that observation alters the behaviour of individuals and increases the efficiency of power, and the changes in the way civil society questions the government’s authority. With the mandatory application of Aadhar to Indian society, I questioned the limits of state authority. Also, in the technological quagmire, would citizens lose knowledge of their government's actions? Thomas Nagel’s ‘What Does It All Mean?’ urged me to challenge the philosophical intent behind my everyday actions and political decisions alike. After watching the documentary, ‘Nero’s Guest,’ on rural economics, I wrote a research paper on the plight of the Indian farmer and the indifference of the elite. I also raised funds to build check dams in drought-stricken areas. While macroeconomic indicators might show that India’s economy has been growing at an increasing rate, there has been a decline in political and civil rights.
In ‘Development as Freedom’, economist Amartya Sen states that an increase in freedom of individuals must be considered when analysing economic development. Reading his critiques of utilitarianism, libertarianism and Rawlsian justice theories helped me bridge the gap between economics and political philosophy. I am currently pursuing an AP Economics course through which I have learned to build models to predict and quantify complex economic problems. The complexities of politics have always fascinated me. Through this course, I hope to gain a better understanding of the intricate workings of a government, the formulation of public policy and its impact on a state. While evaluating the implementation of Aadhar, I found that there have been massive data breaches. Researching India’s response to cryptocurrency during an internship at a corporate law firm, I found that the application of blockchain technology to the Aadhar database would make it more secure. My analysis of Max Weber’s explanation of bureaucracy made me question how it has affected the implementation of welfare schemes in Indian society and hampered our ability to progress. Having participated in national and international Model UNs where I simulated the negotiations of the world’s most influential policy-makers, I also developed an interest in comparative government and international affairs.
As a delegate of the Legal Committee, I presented a resolution analysing the political and economic relevance of the distribution of aid during civil wars. As house and sports captain, I have tried to adopt a democratic approach while resolving disputes and to promote leadership as a collective activity. I believe I would thrive in this interdisciplinary course, as it allows me to understand and specialise in politics and development through the combined lens of related subjects and methodologies. Through the coalescence of these three disciplines, I hope to fight for the protection of political and civil rights of Indians and ameliorate their living conditions.
