Switzerland's direct democracy
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, religions and cultures in the country. This video gives you a short introduction to this unique political system. (Produced by swissinfo.ch on behalf of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad)
Correction: 04:18 Please note: This video was made in 2011. The political landscape has changed and the numbers are no longer representative. For more recent figures go to:
democracybarom...
To the people who bash Switzerland, yeah its not perfect, welcome to humanity, nothing we come up with is perfect. They obviously have their own problems, but overall they are doing a damn good job, maybe we can learn something from them.
I love Switzerland and the Govt style .
Not perfect? Aren't they like one of the richest countries in the world?
I love Switzerland
wise words
Zen and not only that but average income even amongst those at the lowest end of the spectrum is relatively high both compared to Europe and worldwide.
The main advantage is it decentralizes power significantly, which holds politicians accountable, or at least relatively more accountable. Decisions are local, which means that centralized “experts” cannot force their bullshit and transfer risks to others. Switzerland is doing it right.
Yeah, there are definitely accountability advantages to direct democracy over constitutional republic. In the US the main fear this brings is the amount of power it would give large cities over the entire country
@@thomasflores7817 It should just be done locally and all good. This is the important part of federal countries. You should do absolutely every decision on the lowest possible level of government. The federal level should not have the right to interfere in many state rights, being limited to very few decisions.
The state level should have a lot more say and on this level you could probably implement a direct democracy very well.
At the end of the day, Switzerland is also a constitutional republic.
Switzerland is the country I look at for how to run a nation.
Cole Turner indeed. So much to learn, from their foreign policy, to decentralization and federalism
Switzerland is a tiny exception. Try running any normal country on those lines and you'll have a recipe for disaster
I can almost hear Ben Franklin freaking out right now.
Help people launder money
@@enriktigasna That's a complete myth. If you want to invest in a swiss bank tou have to probe where the money comes from which is a very strict and thorough process for those investing large amounts of money. They have a lot of laws protecting privacy in banks but it is so hard to invest your money there it would be impossible for it to somehow be used to launder money, life in some wolf of wall street esque fantasy. People invest in swiss banks because of their confidence in swiss banks and knowing their money will be safe. Switzerland even has thousands of bunker vaults deep in the mountains kept secret and only reachable by helicopter, that is where the money is kept. There isn't anywhere safer than a stable, neutral, democratic, mountainous state with a strong military. It would be almost impossible to invade, not that anyone would want to since they all have their money there.
East or west Swiss is the best. However I'm not a Swiss citizen. I'm am Tibetan guy who stay in Swiss. Swiss people are such a awesome, compassion, full of greeting . I fell like I'm in heaven. Thanks you Switzerland and Swiss people for having us.
Glad you ike it. Please remember, once you become Swiss citizens and can vote, which political group successfully kept Switzerland out of the centrally ruled EU and ensured foreign criminals can be sent home to keep Switzerland safer.The other group hates the country and wants to see it overthrown be the feudal, anti-democratic powers in Brussels and to loose its direct democracy to a state run socialistic fiefdom ruled by autocratic and corrupt french politicians.
@@christheswiss390 i dont think EU is that bad. but i agree that EU is not for Switzerland, because Switzerland has a better system. but EU is not evil in general, and i believe its very good for most of European countries.
But yea, Switzerland has an unique system that works perfectly for you, and you shouldn't change it. But i dont think it would work in most of the rest of Europe, in which case EU is the second best thing for us.
(I'm from Poland, even tho the EU goverment sometimes causes us trouble, i still think its better *_for Poland_* to be in EU)
I think it is a very good system. The politicians can't just force their will onto the people. And make no mistake, people are not stupid. Before a referendum, there is always a months long public debate in the media, where both sides (supporters and opponents alike) can voice their arguments. There is even a TV show called "Arena" on the swiss national TV channel, where both sides embark on a direct debate with each side voicing their point of view and point to the weaknesses of the other side. This results in people discussing politics even in private and thus not being naive about politics.
As the government/administration/cabinet is concerned, it has seven seats and is composed of the four major parties and not just the one that's "won" the elections. This means that a far wider part of the population is represented in the government (= all party government). This is in contrast to other forms of governments, where only that party forms the government which got the most votes. This results in a far lower part of the people being represented in that government than in the swiss system.
It is not a perfect system but there is no doubting that this is the best system in the world.
And socialist hate it because it offers a form of freedom. If you are from Switzerland be prepared for the EU onslaught over the next few months because it will do your head in.
bighands69 Even if it meant delay of women getting the vote?
+Scorpitarios yes long live Swiss democracy, I wish they would do more to export it!
Scorpitarios people are still people and can be manipulated either way... do you think what drove the swiss to vote banning minarets? and who gonna stop the swiss from voting to ban black people from entering the country if they fix on the decision?
@@ImperialEarthEmpire That is generally why Strict Constitutions are beneficial. Though Democracy is the best system, there still needs to be safe guards to protect the rights of the minority from the will of the majority. Its why Judicial Review & Nullification are so important in the preservation of a Free Representative Democracy. Judicial Review to prevent the States/Provinces/Cantons from abusing the rights of its citizens and Nullification to prevent the Federal Government from abusing the rights of the States/Provinces/Cantons citizens.
I wish more nations had direct democracy.
menacingfox it is extremely difficult for capitalist nations to be truly free.
The Ephemeral Yeah and for communist it is impossible
Voffman Pretty sure one of the main principles of Communism is workplace democracy and workers representation.
Adam Soli you mean Liberalism? Libertarianism is just advocating for less governmental control. There are Libertarian Socialists and there are Right Wing Libertarians.
grandoko That is untrue
As a romanian living in Switzerland/Zürich, I can say, I never felt so confortable in another country as I do in Switzerland (not even in Romania). After 5 years of living here, I still have the motivation to fully understand the Confederation's political system. Even not being swiss, I can say that I love this country! And I've never been agressed as a foreigner.
So what now are you doing?
@@veroniperl7857 burgers
That democracy barometer putting Swiss democracy below the USA is a joke, using irrelevant criteria to down mark a clearly more democratic system. There is only one democracy criteria, do people get to decide things?
The USA is not a democracy and was not set up that way. It is a republic.
Yes, you have no monarch, but you are also a representative democracy with elected representatives.
Things like Freedom of speech and expression or right to due process or protection against unlawful search and seizure, or the lack there of, can make the country more or less democratic in practice if there are ways for politicians in power to manipulate the public's opinion by blocking the public's ability to make informed decisions and create an illusion of democracy were there really isn't.
so i should just pack my bags and move into the hotel the next time the general assembly of people vote me out of town?
There are way more criterias to democracy though
Direct democracy truly gives every citizen the opportunity to have their own say with the ability to turn their own ideas into legislation. That way politicians and political parties will be forced to listen when enough people are pissed off and are less able to push their own agenda instead of allowing them to do whatever they want until they are out of office.
This is reckless, no? If someone whom you very much disagreed with could influence the country more, I doubt you would respect such a system. Switzerland is small and politics do not collide so often. Applying such an ideology to the USA would be chaos.
Pros of Democracy: Everyone can vote
Cons of Democracy: Everyone can vote
@@goose2088 So you have absolutely no faith in your fellow human? That contradicts the so called faith you seem to have in other people representing you (politicians). You need to make up your mind. If you have no faith in humanity then you shouldn't have any faith in your politicians also.
I put more faith in the general population then some corrupt politicians who can be bought and sold. Less concentration of power is always a good thing, not more concentration of power. More concentration of power corrupts.
@@RemziCavdar Well unfortunately the past decade has proven shoving enough bullshit in peoples faces like shitty click-baiting, biased journalism creates clueless people in our country and ultimately a divide.
So no I can't say I trust the general population to even know what's going on since we don't even the last 5 things congress discussed.
Right now you will find that people are arguing with each other more than then they are politicians
Not really it could easily be swayed by propaganda or fearmongering, if anything direct democracy could turn for the worse very easily compared to the representative democracy most nations use.
In representative democracies it’s more difficult to influence politiciana while influencing a large crowd with enough money it would be a lot easier.
It simply works in Switzerland because its a small neutral country which does not really participate that much in the global debate, they do their own thing.
Brexit.
Holy shit if we had this system in America we never would've gone to Iraq
j Nakhjo I'm sure the corrupt corporate media heavily skewed this fact, but there was a lot of support for that war.
You would also have Jim crow laws and all that shit.
you are over-estimating the people's intelligence.
For all I know American politicians would bomb their own country before allowing direct democracy.
@@cristobalignaciocastillova1985 people are very irrational that’s why populism exists for example look at brexit that was completely irrational
I wish we had this in Sweden...
I also wish for this in Ireland
Frank U sweden isn't as bad as you see it.
Frank U everytime someone mentions Sweden there always has to be someone like you. Someone who has never been here but seems to know everything about Sweden.
Erik Anon Du får väl rösta på direktdemokraterna.
lets go out and drink at night in a no go zone in malmø@@TobusPls
This is how a democracy should be, the U.S impersonation of a democracy he is a joke.
Capitalists can't be Democratic
+Leader IM Switzerland is a good one
America is a republic not a democracy and there is no such think as representative democracy.
+Leader IM your nation is one of the most capitalist in the world, I use it as a benchmark on how to run a society, many nations have popular parties who wish to copy your countries direct democracy, like the afd in Germany,
it is a joke
What's wrong with deporting foreign criminals?
***** Nice strawman. The only argument I've heard made against deporting foreign criminals is in cases where they are likely to face torture or corrupt legal systems.
If you are trying to destroy your own country like the US and UK are, then its not good to deport your foreign criminals.
Occult Meditation
what?
"it's not good to deport aliens who are ACTUAL CRIMINALS"
are you fucking stupid?
Occult Meditation please tell me you're joking
You have to ask the question what is criminal enough to be deported, and what is foreign enough to be deported. Anyone agrees that someone who just came here last week to kill someone should be kicked out. On the other hand the 18 year old who sold some weed, was born and raised here but doesn't have the passport, should he be kicked out? Both criminal and not having the passport. So try to draw a line that makes sense. To me this sounds like something worth discussing thoroughly.
Direct democracy is the future
All countries should adopt this system.
This is amazing. I wish Canadian's had the same voting rights as the Swiss. Then we could veto some of our government's more idiotic ideas.
@@richardsackler7627 Amen Brother
there is democracy and there is Swiss direct democracy
There is perceived democracy and then there's one R E A L democracy.
I live in the Netherlands, and I can vote for my own dictator!
lemonjuice I think he means prime minister...
@lemonjuice there's still prime minister?!?
@lemonjuice mutually exclusive terms
Back when The Netherlands was a country that governed itself :(
Bravo Swiss people! Protect your voting rights with all you've got!
We need the Swiss system in the EU
The feudal, french ruled EU HATES direct democracy (or any form of true democracy) with an absolute vengeance and will stop at nothing to overthrow Switzerland under the rule of the anti-democrats in Brussels and its court-jester judges of the feudal EU courts!
The whole world needs the Swiss system.
Of all the times I've heard British MP mentioning the Swiss economy mentioning these other countries with these deals in Europe and not one time ever have I heard about direct democracy!
In two weeks we can vote on an initiative to limit the amount of people who can immigrate. That also means we would have to cancel all the bilateral contracts with the EU. It could be our own Brexit. In surveys 61% are against it.
I love Switzerland and I loved living there.
through history we have learned that there is nothing worse than power in wrong hands,
I think we should finally give actual power to the people, without leaders.
Travis Touchdown yes espionage after the humiliating presidential debate.
really democracy,,, thumb up...
Is direct democracy an export product ? If so.. we would use some of that.
we don't deliver direct democracy like the usa do it with their "democracy". probably thats why it's better
Swissarmyknife
It's a bit of a shame: we offer access to the North Sea and we have no real army. So how can I get my government to declare war on Switzerland ?
don't do it. we have an army. not a good one but it is still big
Swissarmyknife
That's the whole meaning of it: so you can spread your democracy here. Even Swiss rule is better than what we have now.
From where are you?
Schweiz is a semi-direct democracy, not a direct democracy.
USA a crappy democracy.
UK is a bumbling mess
Philippines is rotten democracy
Haiti is a fake democracy
Don't get me started on Nigeria... nothing to write home about :(
This is truly inspiring. I have just witnessed people voting in a modern day ecclesia. Well done Switzerland.
We need this in Ireland, I envy Switzerland !
Whenever i get the opportunity i mention your direct democracy and how your country works so much better than mine and i try to change my country but didn't stand a chance of so much corruption so we have a new President who say he make America great again so we wait and see.
And here we are
I hope the USA will have a better future than it seems right now. The presidential debate was laughable and like a comedic show.
Make America great , again? Trump sold us a bunch of bull and now that’s he’s out he’s going kicking and screaming, pray for the USA to heal
Direct democracy is not about voting. It is about discussion (free speech), information (transparecy of government) and the general acceptance of "democracy" (legislative power of the people). The simple majority rule proves that people accept different opinions but they must be convinced that the majority of people will come to "acceptable" laws for everybody. If those laws are not generally accepted demcracy can't work. (Egypt these day's)
Paul Nollen You have hit the nail on its head with this one Paul.
It's nice to see an impartial video explain this system. I was expecting more political advocacy from this video. Thumbs up!
International law should hold no weight in Sovereign Nations. The Swiss people know what is best for their country and their children.
I think I just shed a tear 😢
.........sooo beautiful
The Swiss seems to have it right. Beautiful country too. I want to move to Switzerland !
We need a switzerland counterpart in north america, who agrees :)
There is no way Canada is number 7 for democracy. Our prime minister literally froze bank accounts and enacted an unconstitutional war times act on citizens that oppose him
I love everything about Switzerland and l hope to visit it one day.
How are people who don't vote a problem ?
I'd they didnt vote they either don't care about the specific thing that's being voted on. Or just couldn't which is a small minority
It's always only a problem for people trying to talk down and discredit direct democracy, because they prefer a more left-wing, socialistic, centrally governed, nanny state.
Because they do not vote but complain about the result. That makes any research (that interview people) would yield out the system bad for not representative of their voice.
we can learn from them.
How on earth Finland can be the second most democratic country? In Finland MPs have to vote what their party tells then to vote. And who decides what the party is going to vote? Well of course some officials who have not been elected by the ppl of Finland. The Swiss system rules!
Social democracy is culturally hegemonic, that's the explanation.
So, how do you sustain your elected government ( which is supposed to protect you)?
1:26 I can see the Swiss take a lot of inspiration from the American system of government.
XBLspartanx170 Actually House=National Council, Senate=Council of States, Parliament=Federal Assembly and Cabinet=Federal Council. They are only trying To make it easier for U.S. Viewers.
The brits had the two houses long before the USA started to exist.
@@abbysnowmist In 1848 they actually copied the two chamber system from the US (you can find that info on admin.ch).
The Swiss actually copied the US constitution 100+ years ago. Thats why they also have a federal system, independent states (called Cantons) with their own elected parliaments and liberal gun laws!
Omg it is like a dream. A WORKING DIRECT DEMOCRACY! I love Swiss
Switzerland has the best political system i know!
The Athenian democracy in its glory!!!Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷. Ioannis Kapodistrias did a fine job with Swiss constitution, if the British government (monarchy) at that time did not paid for his assassination maybe Greece will had same of its ancient Athenian democracy! I will be honest we are very jealous and proud at the same time! 😁☺️!!!
Lol what a joke 🤣😂
Very informative video, thank you for uploading.
A government where a voter elects someone to represent him, and that represenative passes a law. But, that elected represenative has to appoint a senator, and that represenative has to appoint a body of men to appoint the president. That president appoints judges, and the senate approves of those in his cabinent, at the end of the day, they are all held accountable to the people... Direct democracy protects the will of the majority, a constitutional republic protects the people from themselves
thank you! very informative - will you make more like this about Swiss Democracy?
Switzerland has been the example for the initiative for more democracy in Trentino. The bill promoted by the civic committee Più Democrazia in Trentino is now being discussed by the Consiglio Provinciale di Trento. For more information you can have a look at the web page of Più Democrazia in Trentino.
Canada needs to adopt this system. Our leaders are becoming overwhelmingly power hungry.
I wish Philippines has direct democracy
lol not a chance mga loko loko mga pulitiko natin nakakalungkot nga eh na naging ganito bansa natin
First of, your country is huge and Direct democracy is only good if your nation is as small as switzerland.
But there might be few things that PH can adapt for, encouraging to use guns for everyone without the ammo.
Only if your system can, oh thats right. You CANT
I think Direct democracy is more effective than other democratic Class around the word and for direct democracy i think is more efficient than other country that have democracy as their base of their Government, and I will support to the Direct Democracy
Maybe their conservative culture is why they are so great? Love Switzerland from a crumbling empire 🇺🇸🇨🇭
@CitizenBeta2: Frankly, if I could, I would replace the Irish parlimentary system with the Swiss one, while at the same time keeping things like the President - albeit perhaps less well-paid - and the Supreme Court, which is basically our Constitutional Court.
this system was created and effective before the lack of banking regulation (banking secret has been created after 1929 crash and due to recession) even if it's a mistake because it allowed people to hide dirty money, it doesn't help a country to develeop itself, this money just sleep. and by the way we are among the first country regulating manager bonuses. I love how UK, US and France criticize us but forgot about their lack of economic regulation (City london, off shore / Ponont Island)
@snaz27 What you are advocating is anarchy where people do what they want regardless of what a majority thinks. My argument is, that as long as a majority vote on an issue is by the people rather than a handful of politicians, that is more democratic than any decision taken in parliament.
@NixuzE a very good point, and a topical issue at that. parliament is currently debating if they should expand the criteria for declaring an initiative invalid (meaning people will not vote on it). they want to add core parts of the constitution and international law to the list.
furthermore, it is possible that something is added to the constitution, but never actually implemented, because it violates core parts of said constitution or international law (like your "no lefties" example)
The public schools are payed by tax money. Full study at an university: Around CHF20'000-30'000 a year (incl. everything you need to live). I don't go to an university. Like most of us I do an apprenticeship (if you're 15 years old +). That's 3 or 4 years of a job-school-mix (3 days work, 2 days school). I just need to pay for the school books. The rest is payed by my enterprise. I work 41 hours/week and get 5-6 weeks vacation (norm: Never less than 4 and hardly ever more than 6 weeks). :)
So if a canton decides to ban alcohol, is it forbidden to drink or have alcohol within the borders of that canton but totally cool if just a bit out from the borders of canton?
yes, just like in america where you can smoke pot in california but go to jail for 10 years if you jump over the border
@@nicst1443 Good reply. Most foreigners think they see obvious "flaws" in foreign countries, yet are comepletely blind to their own country's idiosyncracies.
Overall in what I have read of the concept it sounds like a great idea that should be considered throughout the EU & England.
It prevents politicians as public servants and citizens from shirking their duties and from power groups trying to stop people asserting their natural & economic rights. Direct democracy in a world where citizen is no longer the same as soldier is a re-assertion of nationalism based on citizenship & constitutionalism.
Next step make central banks co-operatives = B.I.S
are clear benefits; jobs in banking sector represent aprox. 12% of Swiss GDP with another 100,000 jobs abroad. in 2007 Swiss banks had 6.7 trillion $ invested in them which has several knock on effects; help maintain the currency of the Swiss franc, permits borrowing at low rates, attracting further investment capital and making low interest loans which re-injects money into building projects, infrastructure and attracts international and multinational companies which pay tax in Switzerland.
I love their courage. From 3:24 of this video, where it starts with "despite...." I say tough CRAP , the people decided and 58% is a clear majority so deal with it !!
It doesn't matter whether the criticisms exist in other forms of government or not. If they still apply to direct democracy, they're still criticisms to acknowledge.
A united Ireland could do with this system
Read, Federalist number 10 by James Madison, it sets out that factions are dangerous, that is politcal parties, and they come about in a democracy.
True democracy, it is!
If all European countries had this type of vote in the 1960s and 1970s we wouldn't be having a migration crisis, we would simply reject the mass influx of people, which is great. I wish we would have this type of system all over Europe.
The problem with Europe and the west is that we were never asked if it was Okay to have our countries ripped apart and loosing our way of life. The swiss will soon be the only west Europeans that are actually Europeans.
Sorry to debunk your theory but switzerland has around 25% foreign resident population. That‘s more than most western countries.
Sorry to debunk you but:
- Switzerland has no less than 10% of foreign born, which is the highest for Western Europe (except minor states like Vatican or Monaco)
- People in 1960s and 1970s would still vote for immigrants, as their economy are lacked of workers (imagine your food store close because they cannot find people) and immigrants are promised to leave after their working period (with a moderate amount of propaganda, people would trust it easily).
- The best system to stop influx of people in Europe is dictatorship, specifically Nazism or communist, which is opposite of Swiss system
1:44 is that a secret ballot vote in the legislature? Are those paper ballots being counted?
We need this in canada
This is why I want to get my citizenship for Switzerland an get out of the us. Please do a video on citizenship for us outsiders.
Why did the guy replace nuclear power at the beginning with a wind turbine
Thanks for your comment! It's just an example to show that people (collectively) can decide on how their country works - changing the sources of energy, building bridges, etc.
When an organization makes you think that Switzerland's democracy ranking is lower than the United State's... and you think : "yeah, you are not going to tell me what to think"
The video eluded to this, but how do you protect minority rights in a system like this? For example, say someone wanted to create a law that forced left handed people out of the country, could they do this simply by getting a majority of votes?
4:22 US has higher rank than Swiss. Imagine that
EU and US Spin doctors at work. Most countries LOVE being able to rule their citizens with an autocratic and iron fist, so they do anthing to suggest to thier people that they live in a democracy, when in fact they live in a perceived democratic version of f the Truman show.
If the natural rights are not respected democracy is not possible in the long run. And of course, democracy is about living in a "community". But there are no guarantees in live. We only can try to make the best of it. We have to compare systems and make choices. And we will make bad ones without any doubt. The only hope is that we learn from our mistakes.
Hahaha I wanna experience the moment when France turns in a "free" thingy first hand. You clearly never lived in Switzerland/Europe. Of course, everyone thinks "Oh, my country is the best!" but I think we Swiss have a quite effective system which allows my nation to live like we want to live. In a good way. Oh and we're neutral, just not if you wanna be rescued by us and as soon as you're safe you're complaining about everything. Heal the wounds of your countries, appreciate our help = Peace. :)
are you from sweden? if so the people you vote for represent you and they decide on your behalf how things are done. in a direct democracy the people are closer to the decision making.
Switzerland are not in the EU either so they are free to make their own laws rather than being told to do things that will hurt the country. that's why they have more money and better living standards than the rest of us europeans.
Look up the non-agression axiom
Give me the 'Duke of Geneva' title. I am from the YDNA line of King Victor Amadeus 3rd (Yes, I have Bourbons and Stuarts as 5th cousins). I have relatives in parts of Africa including Ghana. I could help you the chocolate trade.
In case you hadn't noticed, the Swiss abhor ANY type of power consolidation and have succssfully chased out or "eliminated" all monarchs, rulers, power grabbers, dukes and royalty since 1291.
A little "funfact" to illustrate the point: despite the whole world believing the Habsburgs, who assembled the largest monarchy since the roman empire in Europe, were supposedly Austrian, this is in fact not true. The Habsburgs were originally from Switzerland (Altenburg in the Canton of Aargau) , but were chased out of the country to Austria, where they found monarchy loving peons to overthrow. They tried unsuccessfully for decdes to re-enter Switzerland, but (while they achieved overthrowing 95% of Europe) kept getting bloodied whenever they tried. They never again set foot in Switzerland to govern or rule anythingever again.
See what i mean by the Swiss not having any need for real or perceived "royalty"? Those kinds of connections to the past are a liability in Switzerland - not an asset.
@@christheswiss390 don't worry, not directly related to the Savoy dynasty. Twice removed from both parents. YDNA - Girardi Von Castell (Bulan dynasty). By the way, requesting a title has nothing to do with desiring to govern/rule. I have no right to an inherited title but have a right to keep "von", "Bek" and "Khagan". My line has not directly ruled/govern since 1000 A.D.!
@@christheswiss390 I am from the Bulan dynasty. Afterwards, we simply helped build and maintained empires. Before the Bulan dynasty, we were advisors even to the Pharaoh Rameses III of ancient Egypt (have the genetic markers to prove it)(occured through one of the daughters of Pharaoh Rameses III).
@@christheswiss390 no, I am not a Hapsburg. Twice removed from them also. We ruled/governed southern Russia/Khazaria. Democracy is from the ancient Greeks (which I am closely related to also through my mother's Greek Nobility relatives - Petrocochino/Mavrocordatos). They also had monarchs. Switzerland was not spared from the religious chaos. Switzerland is not special.
@@cristiangerardinobilityhou5410 "no, I am not a Hapsburg"
Interesting. I never wrote you WERE a Habsburg. I just used them to illustrate how Switzerland successfully eliminated most who felt they were special or chased them out of the country centuries ago.
It's very revealing how you write: WE ruled..." You seem just a wee bit outdated.
I claimed Switzerland ensured it was not ruled by monarchs and power-grabbers.
As a response, you write: "Switzerland was not spared from the religious chaos. Switzerland is not special."
I never claimed Switzerland was spared from religious chaos. I also never claimed Switzerland was special. But you try to imply I did.
As the only country in the world with so many civil and democratic freedoms for its citizens at all levels of government, I WOULD say that direct democratic Switzerland has become a beacon of hope in a world of autocracies, fiefdoms and democratic "pretend" societies.
All gover nments should hold referendums on whether the vac cine should be mand atory
What else defines democracy other than public participation ffs
2:27 john green...?
Alex R XD
The Minaret ban is an example of the main problem with this system, that being the tyranny of the majority. It's like the old adage of two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.
Actually two wolves having a sheep for lunch is better than a sheep having two wolves for lunch (which is what pretty happen in the country that the idea originated).
I want Denmark to try direct democracy, atleast in one year
This is surely a unique implementation of direct democracy. However, the process of scaling it up to a much more populous country would require considerable changes. If the people are happy, who needs a barometer anyway?
Thank you for your comment! What are the changes you think would have to be put in place?
Could anyone tell me what´s the symbol meaning at the right of the balance at 4:38 minutes? Thanks!
+matias bela It used to mark sections of law.
paragraph, clause, article, item, section
isn¨'t direct democracy what we have today? I if not I don¨t understand the difference :(. Can enyone link we to a movie or explain it to my ?
This is like the Libertarian take on democracy I like it
no? they literally told a property owner that he can't put up a minaret. This is democracy without any measures to counter populism. it somehow works in Switzerland but most other countries would crash and burn.
A very fair assessment considering that it comes from the state
It's not the Senate and House of Representatives (upper and lower chambers in the US).
There's the National Assembly (lower house) and the Council of States (upper house).
It's exactly he same model as the US Senate and Congress. Why this is a fact? Because the Swiss constitution was copied and adapted from the US constitution. In fact, The Swiss constitution was called the sister constitution of the US constitution. That's also why Switzerland has such liberal gun laws and 26 independent states - each with its own elected parliament and constitution - just like the US!
So I wouldn't go on too much about the names of the two chambers. They are both the same with the same function, only using different names. I sort of understood that from the video and I think most viewers did as well.
The Swiss are a beacon of hope in an otherwise decaying continent!
Yo this was 7 years ago
Need this in Canada.
The fact that the system was created before banking regulation became effective only partially explains the lack of transparency but does not excuse it. Countries legal systems and banking codes of ethics must evolve with time and reflect a moral standard which then defines who they are as a nation. I agree with you that the US has no lessons to give others...it is very hypocritical. It is hard to gain information on to what extent a country profits from money invested in their banks but there..
Thanks 👏
So, when your banks will disclose the names of those who have open accounts in your banks and the amounts?
I am talking about the US citizens who avoid taxation with opened accounts in Swiss banks.
Lately your judicial system rejected a request of US Government to disclose those names and accounts.
If the US can't keep track of and prosecute its own criminals, why should the Swiss do it for them? Or do the Swiss get a cut when they deliver your criminals your country cannot successfully prosecute itself? Strange: the Swiss are not asking ANY country for ANY help in catching financial criminals. Oh wait - it's because the Swiss generally pay their owed taxs AND are happy with the country, its government and the services they get in return for their paid taxes. You might want to look for the real issues closer to the "home of the unfree". Just a thought.
Most people in this comments section underestimate the wisdom of the crowd. It's always wiser than a few individuals making the decisions
Anytime you have other factors such as representative govt, you don't have true direct Democracy!
Do the Swiss citizens dictate in detail what their representative can or can not do making or passing laws?
Greek origin Democracy defined is "THE PEOPLE RULE". in no way does this include representative govt or regime govt. At best this appears a Participatory style of government and i would need to be a Swiss citizen to know what my share of ownership plus rule and control might be.
Apparently animals in a heard also govern by democracy
I think that there are several ways to improve this system aswell. One suggested in the video that decisions takes much longer. Time.
There is alot to bypass here. Everyone think that democracy is good. But about noone thinks it's usefull- which i feel too. Like what can i do with my vote. I might vote on someone that represent a party and a set of rules what govern them, but you never get to choose any decisions. The politicians do that for you - which seems like one does not got power at all.
I think that there should me much more direct democracy. Projects that cost huge sums but can give very high returns should be voted on. Projects that consume 10% of the main budget, 5%, many even 15 %.
But issues that are complex that deal with long term or has big ramifications should, be expert reports from at-least 5 teams that work on different solutions to a problem with expertise ranging from engineering/scientific/lawyers and analytics(in major sectors)And with some specialists in the fields. Short story reasoning -and longer reports on some level of complexity behind every case, so you can dive deeper if the topic interests you or that you should for your own good.
NOW. If you had A WEB portal/page, instead of this paper shit that is today that created dusins of dusins of delays.
Paper should only be backup if some major Catastrofy destroyed major infrastructure.
Lets you your build a new underwater tunnel from a land to a major island.
Report should be:
Which locations got suitable terrain: Location A,B,C
A: Is close to the major city but cost will me 20% more expensive than the average budget.
B: is long way from the city but it will cost 90% of the budget.
C: Is in the middle of the city and will cost 50% more than the average budget
Qauality*
High:
If we send 10% more of the budget - the road needs maintainance every 8th year instead of every 5(every maintainace would cost on average between 1-2% instead of 2-4% every year)
middle quality: If we spend 5% more of the budget - the road needs maintainance every 7th year instead of every 5(every maintainace would cost on average between 1-3% instead of 3-4% every year)
Relability& safety: If we add 30% to the budget we could get a redundant tunnel since the boring machine is already there:
Added features:
- escape tunnel incase of fire
If there is fire in 1 tunnel trafic can be routed through the other tunnel.
This will increase maintenance budget to 7-10% on average every year.
And then if has to be weight against the cons that is bad is this project dont get:
Instead of a tunnel we must use:
airplanes- High sot polution and expensive and time consuming.
Ferries/boats: - high water polution and low capcaity and cumbersome, 50% faster than booking for a flight and fly.
A tunnel will save time - and save up the cost of useing planes in 10 years ferries in 6 years.
ECT ECT ECT ECT ECT ECT....
Now all these have to be filtered though law and different approvals to get this going.
But once filtered though the departments as plausible
You should be able to vote on "expert" report that bolstered your view, or fits your opinion on the matter.
If you wanted to read a case, to have reasoning on your opinion or feel like you needed to know how this works.
I saw a ted talk on random selaction for a second senate of citizen, like they had in ancient roman times.
The old is partly more modern than today on some areas. it's funny.
This is just a short version.
The UK need this