1. WHAT MAKES A REGIME DEMOCRATIC? WHAT MAJOR CHOICES HAS AMERICA MADE?

2. WHAT DO ALL DEMOCRACIES SHARE? How “decisive” should the role be for the demos? How do we hold government accountable? Vertical, horizontal, and social models How “universal” does political participation need to be? One person, one vote? How much contestation for power does there need to be? Citizenship: Does the rule of law apply the same to everyone? The US judicial system Civil liberties… and civil rights? Which are necessary and which are luxuries?

3. WHAT ARE THE BIG CONCEPTUAL TRADEOFFS THAT DEMOCRACIES MUST MAKE? How codified (constitutional)? How difficult should it be to change the basic rules? How responsive? How deliberative? How consensual? How much should the system value compromise? To whom should the system be accountable? Balancing vs. separating power How participatory should the electoral process be? How majorities? How representative? The scope of government: What should be on the table? What level should exercise power? Federalism

4. WHAT INSTITUTIONAL CHOICES TO DEMOCRACIES MAKE? Scope and flexibility in Constitutional design Republicanism vs. direct election vs. direct democracy (referenda/initiatives) Frequency and scope of elections? Staggered elections? Compulsory voting? How representative? FPTP vs. PR (open/closed); “magnification” schemes Degree of insulation (the use of terms vs. early elections and/ or votes of no confidence) Separation of powers: presidentialism vs. parliaments & federalism Balance of powers: France vs. the US