Charles Xue

  

Volume 8 | Issue IV | December 2024

The Albany Academies ’25

New York, USA

  

My fascination with human perception and behavior was sparked at eleven when I began reading works by Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, and Daniel Kahneman. This curiosity about the world and diverse cultures led me to explore how culture shapes our values and thinking. To deepen my grasp of global dynamics, I enrolled in an International Politics course the summer after my freshman year, delving into topics from nuclear non-proliferation to the Iran-Iraq war and Samuel Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations. A subsequent summer course on Game Theory and the Causes of War revealed the profound impact of war on human history. War has been one of humanity’s greatest afflictions. The effort to reduce war and sustain peace hinges on thoroughly understanding the origins of war and the prerequisites for peace. Through my paper on the dynamics of proxy war patronage, I aspire to make a significant contribution to the international security discourse, examining how war and economics influence state behavior and the development of global politics. I am thankful to The Schola for providing the platform for meaningful conversations and to my mentors for their invaluable guidance advice and feedback. The rigorous review and revision process has been a significant learning experience for me. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer, participating in robotics competitions, and tutoring.