One question that has occurred to me is why various Soviet constitutional provisions could not (at least in theory) be applied to capitalist democracies. (I am here using the 1977 "Brezhnev Constitution" as my starting point.) Maybe just have Congress or Parliament meet once or twice a year and elect a Presidium to do its work when it's not in session? (That could certainly save money.) http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/const/77cons05.html#chap15
Maybe have a Procurator General appointed by Congress or Parliament? http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/const/77cons07.html#chap21 In a democratic country, the Procuracy's supposed task of seeing to it that government officials obeyed the law and respected citizens' rights might become genuine.
Also, note that until late in the Gorbachev era the USSR got along without any president. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers headed the government; the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was the closest thing they had to a titular head of state. Yet even parliamentary states in the West insist on a figurehead president or monarch--unnecessarily IMO. Switzerland is the only exception I can think of offhand.
Maybe have a Procurator General appointed by Congress or Parliament? http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/const/77cons07.html#chap21 In a democratic country, the Procuracy's supposed task of seeing to it that government officials obeyed the law and respected citizens' rights might become genuine.
Also, note that until late in the Gorbachev era the USSR got along without any president. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers headed the government; the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was the closest thing they had to a titular head of state. Yet even parliamentary states in the West insist on a figurehead president or monarch--unnecessarily IMO. Switzerland is the only exception I can think of offhand.