Author: Maarten Koning

One of the essential characteristics of Swiss democracy is its militia system ( Milizsystem,  système de milice). It means that the citizens make, form and supervise the state at all levels, the res publica.

History

The system is a centuries-old concept, rooted in the “Landsgemeinde” (the cantonal assembly) of the so-called Urschweiz, specifically the cantons in central Switzerland.

Switzerland (die Schweiz ) derives its name from the canton of Schwyz. Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden concluded a treaty of cooperation around 1300. This covenant was confirmed by an oath (Eid), hence the name Eidgenossenschaft.

The (male) inhabitants had the last say in the Landsgemeinde. The (male) citizens voted by raising their hands on a square in the commune. (Nowadays, this only happens in the cantons of Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden).

Constitution

The militia system is one of the pillars of Swiss democracy, along with direct democracy, federalism and the composition of the government (Konkordanzsystem and Zauberformel).

Citizens actively participate in political decision-making in executive bodies at the local level, in the Confederation parliaments (in the National Council (Nationalrat) or the Council of States (Ständerat)), cantons and municipalities, and in numerous committees in municipalities, cantons and at the national level.

The parade of the Basel Tattoo, September 2022, with veterans of the highly respected militia army

This idea of participation is reflected in the Federal Constitution (Art. 6):

Individual and Social Responsibility. Each person assumes responsibility for him/herself and contributes according to his/her ability to fulfil the tasks in the state and society.

(Individuelle und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung. Jede Person nimmt Verantwortung für sich selber wahr und trägt nach ihren Kräften zur Bewältigung der Aufgaben im Staat und in der Gesellschaft bei.

Militia work represents a form of voluntary political participation. The work is unpaid, although participants receive an allowance. They (the participants)  do not make a living from politics and are not professional politicians.

Militia work differs from voluntary work in associations, clubs, schools, or organisations. It is always a part-time political activity for the state (the Confederation, the canton, or the municipality).

The militia system promotes and strengthens political participation at the federal level, as well as in cantons and municipalities.

This culture of participation reduces the distance between the political elite and the citizens. The Citizens also come into contact with politics at an early stage.

The system also promotes the legitimacy of political decisions. The citizens are the politicians: there is less state bureaucracy and lower state expenses.

Geneva, September 2022

Functioning

Citizens participate as volunteers or part-time municipal, cantona,l or federal politicians. This involves a wide range of activities in governments, parliaments, councils, and other state organisations, such as the army.

Politicians at the federal, cantonal, or municipal level are, in theory, part-time politicians. They often exercise another profession in addition to their political office. Thus, the citizens have not delegated politics to a political cast; they are the politicians. The fact that many politicians earn their income in politics does not detract from this principle.

However, it is increasingly complex to find (qualified) candidates for political office, and the system is under pressure for various reasons, such as media attention and stress, individualisation, professionalisation, globalisation and individual hedonism in a prosperous country.

Geneva, September 2022

Advantages and disadvantages

The system’s advantages more than outweigh its disadvantages. First and foremost, the system fosters cohesion among the various social groups and networks. Many politicians have the essential experience, knowledge, and commitment. They do not belong to the political or bureaucratic establishment. The quality of politicians is often of a high level.

Citizens and the media have a critical attitude towards the political and bureaucratic system. This attitude is based on the view that the perfect state does not exist. For this reason, citizens take responsibility and participate in politics.

This critical attitude also exists in the media concerning, among other things, the European Union. The media are certainly not an echo of each other and the establishment. ‘Alternativlosigkei’ has no place in the Swiss political system.

Conclusion

The age-old “Milizsystem” is not outdated, but rather very modern, particularly in today’s digital age. Citizens do not see the (central) government as an ‘enemy’ but as a democracy for and by the citizens. They are the government.

The second principle is decentralisation. The ‘Heimat’, ‘Ort’, and Canton are the most important references to citizens, not (abstract) geographical spaces and (utopian) ideologies.

It does not alter the fact that the “Milizsystem” is under pressure. This res publica can only exist with the active participation of the citizens.

(Source: M. Freitag, P. Bundi, F. Witzig, Milizarbeit in der Schweiz, Basel 2019).

Bern, House of the Cantons

On March 6, 1866, Ignaz Paul Vital Troxler, one of the founders of modern Switzerland, passed away. He was born in Beromünster in 1780. At the age of nineteen, he left his post in the Napoleonic administration of the Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) to study in Jena.

He was successful in ophthalmology in Göttingen. However, his republican and liberal sentiments were unwanted after 1815. Troxler wanted the (political) establishment to recognise what the citizens want and what concerns them.

Geneva, 25 September 2022, the national optional referendum.

Politicians must remain in permanent (critical) dialogue with them and give them the last word. That is how Ignaz Troxler formulated and shaped the Swiss direct democracy and political style. His thinking remains topical in Switzerland and beyond.