Joseph Wright , Politics and International Relations
Why did you choose to study Politics and International Relations?
Politics is arguably the most important subject of them all. History is concerned with the politics of the past; law is set by politicians; business depends on politics, British business wouldn’t be in the shape it is today without Thatcher’s neoliberal agenda in the 80s; medicine courses are funded by the NHS, which was established on the back of a wartime political consensus by the Attlee government in 1948; economics is ultimately determined by political decision, sometimes bad political decisions. And it’s because of this prominence that I wanted to study politics for A-Level and then found it so interesting and had to take it to degree level.
Why did you choose the University of Manchester?
I had to be in a city. Coming from Brighton it had to be a big, exciting city, and London was too close to home. And it had to be a good university. I feel Manchester has only got better since I’ve been here, and I’m genuinely impressed. One thing I’ve become aware of recently is the depth of opportunities that are available to students here, not just through the university, and the ethos of aspiration that everyone seems to have. And not just typical, boring aspiration; it’s a very innovative place.
What do you like in Manchester as a city?
It’s not up itself in any way; it’s very open and relaxed. There’s a lot of diversity, many places to go and things to do and it’s very easy to get around. By the second year you’ll find your own places. I like being able to get a curry any time of the night in Rusholme, which is a vibrant neon light flooded mile of Indian/Pakistani eateries and shops. And I like living in Fallowfield, a virtual student ghetto, where everyone’s five minutes away, there is always a massive party going on somewhere, and the drinks are cheap. And I like the very centre of town for being a proper city, with all the snobbish bars, museums, clubs, shops and stuff.
What has been the highlight of your course so far?
I’ve developed a sad love for political theory which is about the most fundamental political questions, not institutional structures or electoral patterns or whatever. You’re introduced to it in the first year but it’s in the second year that it gets interesting. You take a course called Freedom and Equality which looks at contemporary theoretical debates. The tutorials could have gone on for hours with heated debates not led as usual by the students who knew the most about the subject. You can really approach the issues yourself and not via the books. You can really develop your own understanding and your own ideas. The flexibility of the Politics and International Relations degree meant I could do my second year Extended Essay in political theory (I looked at Nonconsequentialism), and I can focus my dissertation on theory too (I’m planning to do something on equality, or the contemporary security/liberty debate).
What is it like to study on the programme?
Firstly, you are specialised in politics straight away. Other courses offer a spectrum of social science courses and you slowly decide where to point your degree. Politics and International Relations is for those students who know (or pretty much know) that politics is for them. And secondly, therein, there is a lot of choice within politics. As I’ve mentioned, you can specialise in a particular area. Two sixths of my second year was concentrated on political theory and three or four sixths of my third year will be. But I could make it five sixths. You can spend your credits on other topics like international politics or development politics. So you find yourself as solely a politics student; but then again, you’re no the same as everyone else on the programme. Everyone has their own favoured areas of interest and can tailor their course choices to fit.What social/extra-curricular opportunities have been opened up for you by studying at the University?
I’ve made so many great friends and got myself a lovely girlfriend... The social side of studying here is fantastic. I can’t stand going back home. And at the end of my first year I was able to get involved in setting up the Politics Society. I took over as President during my second year and this has been an amazing experience, organizing (amongst many other things) the hosting of BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions?, after which we held a party, luring the presenter, Radio 4’s Eddie Mair, and the panel, Claire Short, Alan Duncan, Simon Hughes and Vera Beard for a few drinks. And my experience with the Politics Society has helped me get onto Procter & Gamble’s Summer Internship Scheme for 2007.