16 October 2023
Switzerland’s political system is still regarded as a unique case among modern democracies. Its origins lie in multiple languages, sovereign cantons, social structures and historical development. Switzerland held national parliamentary elections on 22 October. This contribution does not discuss the outcome of these elections. It focuses on the system’s functioning, addressing specific topics. The political … Read more » “The Swiss Political System”
12 September 2023
The abbreviation CH is derived from the official Latin name “Confoederatio Helvetica”. Curia Confoederatis Helveticae (CH) appears on the facade of the Federal Palace in Bern. Switzerland is the only European country with a Latin abbreviation that has no linguistic relation to its current name, ‘Switzerland’ (Die Schweiz/la Suisse). Helvetica refers to the Celtic tribe … Read more » “The Confoederatio Helvetica”
5 July 2023
Switzerland is the outcome of centuries of cooperation, alliances, exchanges and contacts between the cantons. After the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), it seemed impossible to unite these sovereign republics and their different languages, religions, cultures and (economic) interests in a federation with a national currency, government, parliament, army or even a flag or a national … Read more » “Switzerland, A European Microcosmos ?”
26 May 2023
The opening of the House of Cantons (Haus der Kantone, Maison des cantons) in 2008 was a milestone in the cooperation between the 26 cantons. As a joint umbrella organisation of 13 governmental and 16 associated cantonal organisations, it functions as a centre for knowledge, discussion, and consultation. The House of Cantons concentrates knowledge and … Read more » “The House of the Cantons”
5 April 2023
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 … Read more » “The Swiss Militia System”
23 March 2023
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 … Read more » “The founder of direct democracy”
12 February 2023
Articles 174-179 of the Federal Constitution contain the main provisions concerning the head of state. They describe the appointment and number of members of the Government (seven), their term of office (four years), the principles of collegiality and equality, the tasks and responsibilities of the Federal Chancellery, and the tasks and duties of the Head … Read more » “The Head of State of Switzerland”
7 February 2023
Definition Each canton is subdivided into municipalities. The area of a canton is the sum of these municipalities, just as Switzerland is the sum of the twenty-six cantons. The cantons are also subdivided into districts that cover several municipalities. Unlike municipalities, districts are not derived from the Federal Constitution but rather from the cantons’ constitutions. … Read more » “The Municipalities”
2 February 2023
Switzerland or the Swiss Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft) consists of twenty-six cantons (Article 1 Federal Constitution). This article also defines the territory of Switzerland: it consists of the areas of the cantons. The cantons In alphabetical order (with their license plate indications in brackets), these are: Aargau (AG), Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR), Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI), Bern (BE), Basel-Landschaft … Read more » “The Cantons”
1 February 2023
The 26 cantons have a powerful constitutional and political position in the Swiss state system. From a European perspective, they are unique structures dating back centuries. This article discusses the constitutions of the cantons. The great politician and entrepreneur Alfred Escher (1819-1882) articulated in 1848 what is still the foundation of the federal and democratic … Read more » “The Consitution of the Cantons”
