A discussion assignment in which students compare participatory democracy and representative democracy in the context of student government. First, students are asked to imagine how they would spend money on campus, and to discuss those proposals with their classmates (participatory democracy). Next, students are directed to the webpage of the College’s student government to learn how their elected representatives have budgeted their funds (representative democracy). Finally, using this experience, students reflect on the merits of participatory democracy in terms of engagement and outcome.