26 October 2022
The Swiss model of direct democracy is often used as an example of how to involve citizens and organisations in decision-making procedures. However, the historical development of this system and its manner of functioning are often unknown. Functioning Every system has its advantages and disadvantages, although one thing is sure: the democratic system is the … Read more » “A short History of Direct Democracy”
12 October 2022
The Flag: The VR means ‘Ussere Rhode’.
12 October 2022
The flag of Appenzell Innerrhoden.
3 October 2022
The history of Switzerland’s sovereignty includes many dates, myths, and (historical and political) discussions. In the 15th century, the territory that is now Switzerland was still part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 19th century, this territory (except for Tarasp (1803), Rhäzuns (1819), and Neuchâtel (1857)), was a sovereign state in 1815. The period … Read more » “The sovereignty of Switzerland”
7 September 2022
Why Switzerland is the title of Jonathan Steinberg’s book (Cambridge, third edition, 2015). The book is a detailed study of seven centuries of history, politics, religion, culture, economy and values that have shaped the country and its cantons and made them what they are: not an island but an oasis in the middle of Europe, … Read more » “Why Switzerland ?”
17 April 2022
Nothing is forever, not even in Switzerland. The creation of the new canton of Jura in 1979, the choice of Moutier (canton of Bern) by referendum in 2021 to join the canton of Jura in 2026 or, for example, the mergers of municipalities. Switzerland is also the outcome of centuries-long processes, as the new publication … Read more » “Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft”
31 March 2022
History The Landsgemeinde’s origins date back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The first Landsgemeinde was mentioned in a document in Schwyz in 1294, and the first mention in Glarus dates back to 1387. It is no coincidence that this institution arose during the time that the Orte (the name ‘canton’ dates from the sixteenth … Read more » “The Landsgemeinde of Glarus”
5 March 2022
The old Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft) of thirteen cantons or Orte (situation 1513) did not yet have a Constitution but was a loose confederation of cantons. Its members were: Appenzell, Basel, Bern, Freiburg, Glarus, Lucerne, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Unterwalden, Uri, Zug and Zurich. The Confederation 1291-1515 The Confederation, or Eidgenossenschaft, was based on mutual treaties concluded between two … Read more » “A Short History of the Constitution”
1 March 2022
Switzerland did not have an official national anthem until 1961. The decision was preceded by almost a century of searching, including competitions to find a suitable melody and text. Until the end of the 1950s, the tunes most commonly played at official events in Switzerland were Rufst Du mein Vaterland (“When my Fatherland calls”) and the … Read more » “The Swiss National Anthem”
10 February 2022
The hilly and mountainous landscape of the two Appenzell cantons is as beautiful as their origins are typically Swiss and unique. The area of these cantons covers 420 km². The northern part of Canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) consists of hills and is almost bordered by Lake Constance. In the southern region, Canton Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI), the … Read more » “The History of the Appenzeller Cantons”
