The suggested topic for the final paper is an examination of the possibilities and limits of instituting some form of participatory democracy in a particular business enterprise, governmental, or non-profit  organization. Students might find it especially interesting to write about some organization in which they have worked, but this is not required.

Detailed instructions for the paper will be given in class. In the meantime, some of the issues you might want to think about include:

• What kinds of participatory democracy is appropriate in this particular site, workprocess democracy; workplace democracy; corporate democracy or no form of participatory democracy?

• To what extent would these different kinds of participatory democracy contribute to the functional goal of the organization? To what extent would it help or hinder the efforts to the organization to sustain itself financially or, in the case of a business enterprise, make a profit?

• To what extent would these different kinds of participatory democracy contribute to the good of the customers or clients of this organization.

• Where might support for a movement towards participatory democracy in this organization come from? Where would opposition come from?

Students who prefer to do so may write on any other issue of concern that is relevant to the course.  However, please be sure that you have my approval for your topic. For students writing a long paper, a substantial outline or rough draft of the paper and a bibliography will be due the first week in April. The final draft of the paper will be due the day of the final examination.