This talk will examine whether greater constitutional specificity is normatively desirable in the face of contemporary democratic erosion. While much of the current scholarship on constitutional design argues that more detailed and comprehensive constitutional provisions can better safeguard democratic norms, this paper will question that prevailing assumption. It will ask whether increasing the number and precision of constitutional rules in fact strengthens a legal order’s resilience to democratic backsliding.

Florian Wetzlaugk is a third-year PhD Candidate (Law) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Currently, he is also a visiting researcher at Harvard Law School (Spring 2026). His doctoral research examines the institutional and conceptual consequences of different levels of constitutional specificity. At its core, his thesis aims to make an argument against the currently trending practice of making constitutions increasingly more specific. Florian holds a law degree (state exam) in Germany, for which he studied at the University of Bielefeld and the University of Freiburg as well as an LLM from New York University.

The Malyi Visiting Fellowship Program offers an opportunity for scholars and practitioners to engage with cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary inquiry into the role of legal and institutional frameworks in promoting integrity, accountability, and justice. As part of the University of Chicago’s tradition of academic excellence, the program fosters dialogue between diverse perspectives, combining rigorous legal analysis with insights from political science, economics, sociology, and philosophy.

Lunch will be provided.