The Swiss political system: the absolute essentials
Civic instruction - What does the syllabus say? (Bold italics)
To describe and explain the federal state and its structures;
Much of what you need to know is not unique to Switzerland and you will have covered relevant content in your study of history. For example, you know that a state is a form of political organisation. It has a population, recognised borders, and political authority. Switzerland is a democratic state (you studied the concept of democracy when we looked at authoritarianism) with a clear division of powers (as we saw previously in the USA).
Civic instruction - What does the syllabus say? (Bold italics)
To describe and explain the federal state and its structures;
Much of what you need to know is not unique to Switzerland and you will have covered relevant content in your study of history. For example, you know that a state is a form of political organisation. It has a population, recognised borders, and political authority. Switzerland is a democratic state (you studied the concept of democracy when we looked at authoritarianism) with a clear division of powers (as we saw previously in the USA).
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The legislature passes laws, approves federal budgets and scrutinises the work of the executive (Federal Council) and is - as in most democracies - bicameral (two chambers). But unlike in many democracies there is not an upper and lower house the National Council and the Council of States are equal. As we saw in the USA, one house represents the people and the other the local states (the Cantons).
The National Council represents the people with 200 representatives, elected every 4 years through proportional representation (Weimar Germany). More populous cantons have more representatives (Zurich has 34 National Councillors, Uri has 1). In the Council of States each full Canton has two state councillors, elected every four year by majority vote (First Past the Post e.g. UK) 46 in total. When the two chambers meet together, for example when they elect the Federal Council, it is called the Federal Assembly.
The National Council represents the people with 200 representatives, elected every 4 years through proportional representation (Weimar Germany). More populous cantons have more representatives (Zurich has 34 National Councillors, Uri has 1). In the Council of States each full Canton has two state councillors, elected every four year by majority vote (First Past the Post e.g. UK) 46 in total. When the two chambers meet together, for example when they elect the Federal Council, it is called the Federal Assembly.
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The executive is the Federal Council or cabinet of seven individuals. The main role is to propose laws and to carry out those laws after legislative approval.
The Federal Council reflects the balance of the political parties in the Federal Assembly, this is called the ‘magic formula’. In 1959, the four largest political parties agreed that government posts should from then on be distributed among them according to a ratio that reflects their strengths in parliament. |
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The members of the Federal Council are elected indirectly by the Federal Assembly. They are elected for four years and usually re-elected. Compared to other countries this is an unusual institution. It is small, a guaranteed coalition and unusually stable. There is no ‘prime’ minister, all seven members are equal and are each responsible for a government department.
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There is a president elected every year to represent Switzerland internationally (2023 Alain Berset, 2024 Viola Amherd), but they have no more power than the other six members. Unlike the legislature, the meetings of the Federal Council take place in private and decisions are bound by ‘collective responsibility’. This means all members defend the collective majority decision reached whether they agreed with it or not. The Federal Supreme Court is the judicial branch of the Swiss constitution. It sits in Lausanne, has 38 permanent judges each elected for 6 years. Its purpose is to rule on appeals made against cantonal court decisions. Swiss citizens can also appeal decisions made in the Federal Court to European Court in Strasbourg. 
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To establish the relationship between the structure of the state established in 1848 and the geopolitical situation in Switzerland (cf. the Swiss Revolutions in the history programme)
Like the USA, Switzerland has a federal system of government that was created as a compromise in 1848. It is based on the principal of subsidiarity which means that power to make decisions should rest with those institutions closest to the people affected by those decisions. Where the power to make decisions can be exacted locally, it should be enacted locally.
In Switzerland there are three levels of political authority: the confederation, the cantons and the communes.
The Federal Constitution sets out the tasks for the confederation and those of the cantons (defence, foreign affairs, economy, finance, transport and communication, justice and police, home affairs). The cantonal constitutions divide various tasks between the cantons and communes.
Like the USA, Switzerland has a federal system of government that was created as a compromise in 1848. It is based on the principal of subsidiarity which means that power to make decisions should rest with those institutions closest to the people affected by those decisions. Where the power to make decisions can be exacted locally, it should be enacted locally.
In Switzerland there are three levels of political authority: the confederation, the cantons and the communes.
The Federal Constitution sets out the tasks for the confederation and those of the cantons (defence, foreign affairs, economy, finance, transport and communication, justice and police, home affairs). The cantonal constitutions divide various tasks between the cantons and communes.
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Distinguish between direct and semi-direct democracy and place Swiss political institutions in this perspective;
For all students of politics, and I was one, Switzerland is a fascinating system to study. As we have seen, in most respects Switzerland resembles other democracies, but in one important aspect she is very different. Switzerland is not merely a representative democracy; she also has a significant participatory dimension which is almost unique in the world. The use of referenda means that Switzerland is a semi-direct democracy.
For all students of politics, and I was one, Switzerland is a fascinating system to study. As we have seen, in most respects Switzerland resembles other democracies, but in one important aspect she is very different. Switzerland is not merely a representative democracy; she also has a significant participatory dimension which is almost unique in the world. The use of referenda means that Switzerland is a semi-direct democracy.
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There are three types of referendum: mandatory referendums, optional referendums and popular initiatives.
Mandatory referendums: All constitutional amendments approved by the federal parliament must be voted on in a mandatory referendum via a popular vote. For example, in 2001, 76.8 percent of voters rejected a proposal that would have seen Switzerland join the European Union. On the other hand, in 2002, Swiss voters finally decided to join the United Nations with 58.4 percent of people backing the proposal. For mandatory referendums, a double majority is required: that is, a majority of voters and a majority of cantons must vote in favour of the proposal. |
Optional referendums: Any 50,000 Swiss citizens (or eight cantons) may request an optional referendum to contest a new or revised law. In the case of individual citizens, they must gather 50,000 signatures within 100 days. If the referendum goes ahead, the new law is passed or rejected by a simple majority of voters.
Popular initiatives: Since 1891 citizens may also demand a change to the constitution via referendum by launching a popular initiative. It must be launched by a group of at least seven citizens and must then be backed by 100,000 signatures within 18 months to push it to a referendum. A double majority of the people and the cantons is required for it to pass. For example, in 2016 the paternity leave popular initiative was started which requested two weeks paternity leave. It was accepted by 60.3 percent of the people in September 2020 and put in place in January 2021.
Popular initiatives: Since 1891 citizens may also demand a change to the constitution via referendum by launching a popular initiative. It must be launched by a group of at least seven citizens and must then be backed by 100,000 signatures within 18 months to push it to a referendum. A double majority of the people and the cantons is required for it to pass. For example, in 2016 the paternity leave popular initiative was started which requested two weeks paternity leave. It was accepted by 60.3 percent of the people in September 2020 and put in place in January 2021.
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How to launch a popular initiative and current initiatives. History of popular initiatives. In addition, In Appenzell Innerrhoden and Glarus citizens assemble each year for the Landsgemeinde (general assembly) to elect the cantonal government and judiciary and to vote on several issues on the agenda (direct democracy). |
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To identify the rights, duties and freedoms of the citizen and to situate them by giving examples;
One of the defining characteristics of a democracy is that it guarantees certain rights of citizenship. Fundamental rights are enshrined in the constitution of 1848 (cf. history course), 1874 and 1999 e.g. right to life (Art.10) or privacy (Art.13) Switzerland is also a signatory to UDHR and European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court which is an example of giving up state sovereignty (see Swiss neutrality). Duties in all states include paying taxes or having your children educated. Switzerland is unusual in Europe in requiring all male citizens to undertake military service Greece, Cyprus and Austria are other examples.
Identify pressure groups (political parties, associations and the media);
One of the defining characteristics of a democracy is that it guarantees certain rights of citizenship. Fundamental rights are enshrined in the constitution of 1848 (cf. history course), 1874 and 1999 e.g. right to life (Art.10) or privacy (Art.13) Switzerland is also a signatory to UDHR and European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court which is an example of giving up state sovereignty (see Swiss neutrality). Duties in all states include paying taxes or having your children educated. Switzerland is unusual in Europe in requiring all male citizens to undertake military service Greece, Cyprus and Austria are other examples.
Identify pressure groups (political parties, associations and the media);
National Council election results 2023
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There is nothing especially Swiss about this. Political parties are left and right wing as in other European countries (see ideological spectrum). The five parties represented in the Federal Council are generally called the government parties: Free Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Party, Swiss People's Party, and Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland.
As elsewhere right-wing populism has been on the rise with the Swiss People's Party (SVP), traditionally the junior partner in the four-party coalition government, more than doubling its voting share from 11.0% in 1987 to 22.5% in 1999, rising to 28.9% in 2007, thus overtaking its three coalition partners. This shift in voting put a strain on the "magic formula”. From 2007 to 2019 the SVP share of the vote had been in decline but the 2023 election halted that (see left). Noteworthy in the elections of 2019 was the rise of the two Green Parties who again put pressure on the “magic formula” with a combined popular vote of 21%. Although this was reduced to 17% in 2023 the exclusion of the 'Greens' remains an issue.
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A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest. It is called so, as it attempts to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure – lobbying, demonstrations, strikes, referendum - on the government. It acts as a liaison between the government and its members. There is nothing particularly Swiss about these – USS organises most Swiss Trade Unions, Economiesuisse defends big business, WWF is a global environmental organisation, TCS defends drivers.
Retrace the stages in the birth of a law.
This is complex, time-consuming and one of the aspects of Swiss politics that is often criticised. The ‘Swiss Democracy in a nutshell’ book (ask to borrow a copy) has a good 9 step summary of the process, but I’m going to simply describe it as two stages.
Drafting/consultation
Generally, it is the Federal Council that submits draft laws to parliament, but a law may also be drafted on the initiative of a member of parliament, a parliamentary group, a committee or a canton. The preliminary draft is usually submitted to a consultation procedure. During the consultation process, the cantons and various actors from civil society (political parties, interest groups, NGOs, etc.) assess the proposal and express their opinions. After the consultation procedure, the final draft is produced and submitted to the two chambers of parliament.
Parliamentary approval.
In Parliament, the two Councils take turns to deal with the draft, and a process begins back and forth with the aim of reaching agreement in both chambers of parliament. If the National Council and the Council of States can agree on a joint text, the law is passed. If a certain number of voters object to the new law, they can demand that the law be submitted to a vote of the people; this is known as an optional referendum and is also held if demanded by eight cantons. If there is no call or insufficient support for a referendum, the law comes into force without being submitted to a popular vote. If there is sufficient support for a referendum, the law must be submitted to a vote of the people.
Further information
www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/politik/uebersicht/politisches-system-der-schweiz---fakten-und-zahlen.html
The Swiss Confederation app.
This is complex, time-consuming and one of the aspects of Swiss politics that is often criticised. The ‘Swiss Democracy in a nutshell’ book (ask to borrow a copy) has a good 9 step summary of the process, but I’m going to simply describe it as two stages.
Drafting/consultation
Generally, it is the Federal Council that submits draft laws to parliament, but a law may also be drafted on the initiative of a member of parliament, a parliamentary group, a committee or a canton. The preliminary draft is usually submitted to a consultation procedure. During the consultation process, the cantons and various actors from civil society (political parties, interest groups, NGOs, etc.) assess the proposal and express their opinions. After the consultation procedure, the final draft is produced and submitted to the two chambers of parliament.
Parliamentary approval.
In Parliament, the two Councils take turns to deal with the draft, and a process begins back and forth with the aim of reaching agreement in both chambers of parliament. If the National Council and the Council of States can agree on a joint text, the law is passed. If a certain number of voters object to the new law, they can demand that the law be submitted to a vote of the people; this is known as an optional referendum and is also held if demanded by eight cantons. If there is no call or insufficient support for a referendum, the law comes into force without being submitted to a popular vote. If there is sufficient support for a referendum, the law must be submitted to a vote of the people.
Further information
www.eda.admin.ch/aboutswitzerland/en/home/politik/uebersicht/politisches-system-der-schweiz---fakten-und-zahlen.html
The Swiss Confederation app.
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