4 April 2021
The German-speaking canton of Zug has been a full member of the Confederation since 1415. The counts of Nellenburg, Kyburg, and, from the thirteenth century onwards, the house of Habsburg were the most important political powers. By the end of the 14th century, the nobility had lost its significant role. The canton signed a treaty … Read more » “Canton of Zug”
11 March 2021
Available in German, French and Dutch.
14 January 2021
The Swiss Confederation introduced universal suffrage for men in 1848, becoming one of the first democracies in Europe and one of the world’s earliest nations to do so. History However, women’s right to vote at the national level would only become a reality on March 26, 1971, following the referendum on February 7. Switzerland was … Read more » “Fifty years women’s suffrage”
2 August 2020
Switzerland is a small country (the size of the Netherlands) in the middle of Europe. The Swiss Confederation The fascinating history and culture, direct democracy, economic, monetary, political, and multicultural accomplishments are often overlooked and neglected by other neighbouring European countries. Switzerland, with its centuries of state-building (not always peaceful and neutral), has evolved into … Read more » “The Union and the Disunion on the first of August”
3 November 2019
Although it did not receive attention outside Switzerland, an exit drama is unfolding in the canton of Bern. Referendum A majority of voters of Moutier voted in favour of leaving the canton of Bern and joining the canton of Jura instead, by 2,067 votes in favour versus 1,930 votes against, a difference of 137 votes. … Read more » “Mexit or Moutier Exit”
16 April 2019
Europe Europe is a name given by the Greeks to a region or continent that stretches from the Ural in the east to Ireland (or Iceland) in the west and from Scandinavia in the north to Italy in the south. The continent’s societies, cultures, and languages have always been highly diverse. Greeks and Romans were … Read more » “The Europeanization of Switzerland”
14 April 2019
Switzerland is the second-oldest federal state after the United States of America. The federal constitution of 1848 was closely modelled on that of the USA (written in 1787). The cantons delegated some of their sovereignty to the federal level in 1848. The cantons Most cantons have a long history, dating back to the Middle Ages. … Read more » “The Federal Multilingual State”
16 March 2019
Switzerland should not join the EU, but the EU should join the Swiss Confederation, a union of twenty-six democratic republics. The country should seriously and critically consider whether to sign the so-called Rahmenabkommen, accord-cadre, or Institutional Treaty. Sovereignty The sovereignty that is transferred to the EU is lost forever. And the EU is never satisfied. In ten years, … Read more » “The EU should join the Swiss Confederation”
8 March 2019
1291-1513 When the Habsburg rulers in the central Swiss areas failed to maintain peace and protect the roads, three rural communities took action and formed a peace alliance in 1291. These alliances were relatively common in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, reflecting the interests of local elites, whether rural, urban, or noble. The alliance covered … Read more » “William Tell and the Congress of Vienna”
14 February 2019
Available in French, German and Dutch
