Assignment task:
1. The first debate/discussion will focus on whether it is in autocratic leaders' interests to actively pursue democratization. Note that the prompt says the dictator him/herself not the entire regime.
Give your opinion.
A: Dictators should pursue rapid democratization as a means of personal survival and national improvement.
2. The second debate/discussion focuses on whether democracies should allow regional referendums that put separatism to a vote. Essentially it asks if democracy extends to the decision to leave a country.
Note the limit of scope to Europe.
Give your opinion.
B: European democracies such as Spain and the United Kingdom should allow referendums on independence for stateless nationalities such as the Catalonians and the Scottish.