Ronald Holland, member of the Sovereign Society Council of Experts, author and writer on international finance, travel, and history has lived and worked in Geneva and headed a US-Swiss investment firm. He now heads the Holland Marketing Group. Here he reviews Direct Democracy in Switzerland by Gregory A. Fossedal.

Dear A-Letter Reader:

This unique book unintentionally highlights the abject failure of American representative democracy to limit and control government growth. In contrast, it details the Swiss model of direct democracy and confederation that successfully has preserved personal liberty and controlled government. It's a system that should be copied in the US and the world.

Comparing the history of the American Republic and the Swiss Confederation clearly shows how fleeting and short-lived representative democracy is. Stability is the hallmark of Swiss direct democracy. This tiny nation is heralded by champions of liberty and limited government because of its dedication to armed neutrality and financial, economic and personal freedoms. Small wonder that the Swiss Confederation is hated by tax hungry politicians, special interests and those who would deny others both liberty and wealth.

Why is Switzerland so different from the rest of the world? How could they retain a decentralized, limited central government controlled by the people when most other nations have failed? Is it because the Swiss people love and defend liberty more than others? Is there a secret Swiss "liberty gene" that makes them more aware of attacks on their freedoms at home and abroad? How has this small nation of diverse ethnic groups, including German, French, Italian and Romansh, survived and prospered when neighboring nations have surrendered to fascism, nationalism, communism, or what has come to be called "ethnic cleansing"?

I believe the Swiss centuries-long success is due to two unique political institutions. First is the political structure of direct democracy protected by the right of national referendum and initiative. The second is their decentralized structure of state confederation where most of the powers and authority are based at the local and cantonal (provincial) level.

The authors of Direct Democracy in Switzerland make an excellent case for the Swiss system's merits. I urge you to read the book. The Swiss success story is a model for other nations and political movements around the world. It details the political success of a weak decentralized federal government held in check ultimately by the people, and the individual cantons. The authors' obvious respect for Switzerland transcends the narrow issues of liberal and conservative arguments that consume us in the United States.

This is a timely reminder that there is a successful, peaceful, prosperous, democratic example, a possible solution to the ethnic, religious and political differences that does not require big government at home, or aggressive military intervention abroad.

This is also an important treatise for the European Union, offering a successful model for the EU future. It shows the EU how to avoid the fatal mistakes of the American model; an out-of-control federal government, unneeded foreign wars and special interest control of politics. It highlights the Swiss concept of Willensnation , a natural political growth by attraction and voluntary association among neighboring principalities, cities, and even individuals. This process has produced a Switzerland that is a nation created by millions of acts of free will. Contrast this with the historic U.S. model of "manifest destiny" -- conquer, acquire and rule. Some would even suggest that the American "War Between the States" was part of this pattern of forced association.

Finally, the Swiss direct democracy and their near obsessive protection of minority interests, views, culture and language offers a realistic example for others. This could be the solution to the ethnic problems of post-Saddam Iraq, multi-racial South Africa, even a workable solution for the perpetual Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a solution that doesn't involve oppression and imposed government control. War, religious extremism, terrorism, ethnic conflict and the tyranny of majorities could be avoided. Direct Democracy in Switzerland is a nation's success story.

Ronald Holland
Web site: http://www.ronaldholland.com/
E-mail: skironholland@yahoo.com