Switzerland: A Unique Government Model and Its Overlooked Flaws

Switzerland’s unique government system combines a strong federal republic with elements of direct democracy. Governance operates on three main levels, with powers divided among municipalities, cantons, and the federal government. Citizens are an active part of this process through frequent referendums and popular initiatives.

The most basic administrative unit is the approximately 2,100 municipalities, which are responsible for local governance and independently manage services such as schools, local roads, and waste disposal. Above the municipalities are the 26 cantons, which form the foundation of the federal state and have their own constitutions, governments, and parliaments. Many critical issues like education, health, and police services fall under the authority of the cantons.

Switzerland’s multilingualism is reflected in its cantons. The main language of 17 of the 26 cantons is German. Four cantons speak French, and one (Ticino) speaks Italian. Additionally, four cantons use more than one official language: Bern has German as its main language but also recognizes French as an official language. In Fribourg, the majority speaks French, but German also has official status. Valais (Wallis) has two official languages, French and German, while Graubünden is the only canton with three official languages (German, Italian, and Romansh).

The federal government, responsible for inter-cantonal matters (foreign policy, defense, national economy, etc.), consists of three main bodies: the Federal Assembly (Parliament), which is composed of the National Council (200 members based on population) and the Council of States (46 members based on the cantons); the seven-member Federal Council (Government), from which one member is elected as president each year to ensure a continuous rotation in the government; and the Federal Supreme Court as the highest judicial body.

This system encourages the active participation of citizens in political processes. Federal-level votes are held four times a year (in March, June, September, and November). These are not general elections but cover specific topics such as constitutional amendments, international agreements, or new legislative proposals. The most common way to vote is by mail.

As for the practical flaws of this system, here are my personal thoughts: While this system may seem admirable at first glance, it brings some significant practical flaws. For direct democracy to work, a large majority of the public must participate, yet voter turnout in Switzerland is quite low. This creates the paradox that the country’s governance is determined by a minority. For example, the voter turnout rates for the last three federal elections were as follows: 2023: 46.6%, 2019: 45.1%, and 2015: 48.5%. This situation increases the influence of the minority over the majority. For us to call something a direct democracy, or a democracy at all, we must know what the majority thinks. Therefore, politicians must work to encourage the public to vote and strengthen direct democracy.

Another significant flaw of the system is voting rights. In my opinion, a person who legally resides in the country and pays taxes at the same rate as a citizen should also have the right to vote. It can be seen as a fundamental injustice when the fate of an economic law, for example, is decided by someone else’s vote, while a non-citizen who pays just as many taxes has no say. This situation raises serious questions about the principles of representation and equality.

Despite all this criticism, the Swiss government system cannot be called flawless. However, its existing mechanisms of transparency, stability, and direct participation make it an unparalleled and invaluable model. With all its flaws, it is a brave model that has the potential to breathe new life into democracy.