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Switzerland's Direct Democracy
Definition of Direct Democracy
Direct Democracy can be defined as a form or system of democracy
giving citizens an extraodinaryamount ofparticipation in the
legislation process and granting them a maximum of political
self-determination.
Origins of Switzerland's Direct Democracy
In Switzerland, Direct Democracyhas a long tradition: The
origins of Direct Democracy can be traced back tothe late the
middle ages: archaic forms (assemblies of the electorate discussing
and deciding major politicalissues) have been practised in part of
the country since the founding of the Old Swiss Confederacy in
1291.
The origins of Switzerland's modern system ofDirect
Democracywith formalized opinion polls and frequentreferendums lie
in the experimental phase of democracy in the 19th century when
Switzerland was surrounded bymonarchies on the European continent
that showed little to none enthusiasm for democracy.> History of
Switzerland's Federal Constitution (1848) and Direct Democracy
Basic Facts & Features of Switzerland's Direct Democracy
y The Swiss constitution defines in some detail all areas
subject to federal legislation. Anything notexplicitly mentioned is
left to the legislation of the cantons (federal states).Therefore
it is necessary to update the constitution from time to time to
take account of changes in
society and technology that demand for standardised solutions
throughout the country.The Swiss constitution may be changed only
if an overall majority of the electorate agrees in areferendum and
if the electorate of a majority of the cantons agrees, too. The
latter is sometimes just alittle more difficult because it means
that the rather conservative electorate of smaller rural cantons
mustbe convinced as well.Nevertheless, minor changes to the Swiss
constitution are quite frequent without affecting the basicideas
nor the stability ofSwitzerland's Political System. To the
contrary: Direct Democracyis the key toSwitzerland's famous
political stability.
y All federal laws are subject to a three to four step
process:1) A first draft is prepared by experts in the federal
administration.2) This draft is presented to a large number of
people in a formalized kind of opinion poll: Cantonalgovernments,
political parties as well as many non-governmental organisations
and associations of the
civil society may comment on the draft and propose changes.3)
The result is presented to dedicated parliamentary commissions of
both chambers of the federalparliament, discussed in detail behind
closed doors and finally debated in public sessions of bothchambers
of parliament. Members of parliament do take into account the
results of step 2, because if thefail to do so, step 4 will be
inevitable.4) The electorate has a veto-right on laws: If anybody
is able to find 50,000 citizens signing a formdemanding for a
referendum within 3 months, a referendum must be held. Laws do only
need to find amajority of the national electorate to pass a
referendum, not a majority of cantons. Referendums onmore than a
dozen laws per year are not unusual in Switzerland.
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y Frequent referendums on minor changes to the federal or
cantonal constitutions, new or changed laws,budgets etc,-
referendums on constitutional changes are mandatory- referendums on
laws are "facultative" (only if 50,000 citizens, i.e. roughly 1.2%
of the electorate,demand for it)Learn more about Referendums in
Switzerland
y Corresponding rules apply forreferendums on cantonal and
communal level. While referendumsconcerning budgets are not
possible on federal level they are common on communal level. It
dependson the 26 cantonal constitutions whether they are mandatory,
facultative or possible at all.The number of citizens that may
demand for a cantonal or communal referendum depends on the size
ofthe corresponding electorate, as a rule of thumb, about 1% are
usual.
y Popular Initiative: 100,000 citizens (roughly 2.5% of the
electorate) may demand for a change of theconstitution by signing a
form. The federal parliament is obliged to discuss the initiative,
it may decide torecommend or to reject the initiative or it may
propose an alternative. Whatever they choose to do, allcitizens
will finally decide in a referendum whether to accept the
initiative, the alternate proposal or staywithout change.
