Discussion question: What kind of diversity matters on the Supreme Court?

May 10, 2010

President Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court will prompt issues about diversity on the court. Gender, ethnicity, and race have been obvious factors, but religion, elite schooling, and career experience may also come up.

If religion matters, should there be a Protestant – or a Muslim – on the bench? (If Ms. Kagan is confirmed, there'd be only Jewish and Catholic judges.)

If schooling matters, should there be a non-Ivy League seat? (If Kagan is confirmed, all nine justices would be alumni of Harvard or Yale.)

If career experience matters, should more justices have backgrounds in business?

Share your constructive ideas using the form below. (We don't allow personal attacks.) We may highlight worthy comments in a future post.