In the year of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this class will take as its inspiration the Declaration's statement that it is the role of citizens to redesign their government when it fails to serve them well, "laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." To begin the project of refounding, we will work collaboratively and individually to propose changes in the structure and function of the national government. We will use a common consulting model - situation, complication, and resolution - to contribute our proposals to a compendium of reforms that will be published in draft in 2027 and in final form in 2029. From 2026 to 2029, we will be adding material generated by other iterations of this class, at Stanford and at other universities as well, with the purpose of refounding the national government on principles that specifically suit the best considered views of Generation Z. Our class will be divided into three parts: Initially, we will survey the situation as we perceive it, with the goal of diagnosing the failures of the national government that most trouble us. Next, we will analyze the obstacles faced by reform measures. Finally, we will propose specific changes in structure and function, coupled with ways to achieve these changes. Each class member will choose one specific area for personal focus. During the course, students will participate in general discussion and will also apply the reasoning framework of situation, complication, and resolution to their specific topic area. In lieu of a final exam, everyone will present their proposed reform orally for LAW 30 minutes to a panel of three "judges" (selected from the class by the instructor) that is expected to ask questions for up to half of the LAW 30 minutes, with the rest of class as an audience. In addition to this moot court, everyone will memorialize their proposed reform (structured in the three parts) in a 3,LAW 500 to 5,LAW 000-word paper, not including charts, graphs or pictures that might be added for explanatory purposes. Although any student may choose to delve into drafting Constitutional amendments or legislation, that is not necessary. An interest in business organization, computer science, political science and other disciplines will be as or more helpful than law. It is - this is important - likely that the proponent of a solution will need to recognize the ideology that informs the proposal. A classical liberal will probably approach a topic from a different perspective than someone who believes liberalism has failed, for example. All ideologies are welcome in this class; the rigor of the analysis and vigor of the argument are what we will prize. The class is intended to complement Public Policy LAW 308; it will be useful, although not required, for students to take that class either before or after this class. Generally, this class is for graduate level students, but seniors may seek permission from the instructor to enroll. Elements used in grading: Class participation, oral presentation, written presentation. Cross-listed with Public Policy (PUBLPOL LAW 318).
2 units · Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
In the year of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this class will take as its inspiration the Declaration's statement that it is the role of citizens to redesign their government when it fails to serve them well, "laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." To begin the project of refounding, we will work collaboratively and individually to propose changes in the structure and function of the national government. We will use a common consulting model - situation, complication, and resolution - to contribute our proposals to a compendium of reforms that will be published in draft in 2027 and in final form in 2029. From 2026 to 2029, we will be adding material generated by other iterations of this class, at Stanford and at other universities as well, with the purpose of refounding the national government on principles that specifically suit the best considered views of Generation Z. Our class will be divided into three parts: Initially, we will survey the situation as we perceive it, with the goal of diagnosing the failures of the national government that most trouble us. Next, we will analyze the obstacles faced by reform measures. Finally, we will propose specific changes in structure and function, coupled with ways to achieve these changes. Each class member will choose one specific area for personal focus. During the course, students will participate in general discussion and will also apply the reasoning framework of situation, complication, and resolution to their specific topic area. In lieu of a final exam, everyone will present their proposed reform orally for 30 minutes to a panel of three "judges" (selected from the class by the instructor) that is expected to ask questions for up to half of the 30 minutes, with the rest of class as an audience. In addition to this moot court, everyone will memorialize their proposed reform (structured in the three parts) in a 3,500 to 5,000-word paper, not including charts, graphs or pictures that might be added for explanatory purposes. Although any student may choose to delve into drafting Constitutional amendments or legislation, that is not necessary. An interest in business organization, computer science, political science and other disciplines will be as or more helpful than law. It is - this is important - likely that the proponent of a solution will need to recognize the ideology that informs the proposal. A classical liberal will probably approach a topic from a different perspective than someone who believes liberalism has failed, for example. All ideologies are welcome in this class; the rigor of the analysis and vigor of the argument are what we will prize. The class is intended to complement Public Policy 308; it will be useful, although not required, for students to take that class either before or after this class. Generally, this class is for graduate level students, but seniors may seek permission from the instructor to enroll. Elements used in grading: Class participation, oral presentation, written presentation. Cross-listed with Public Policy (PUBLPOL 318).
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.