Direct Democracy in Switzerland
Can Swiss style direct democracy solve some of America's growing political and government problems at home as well as in other nations around the world? Ronald Holland believes the answer is Yes!
A book review of "Direct Democracy in Switzerland"I believe, "Direct Democracy in Switzerland" unintentionally highlights the failure of American representative democracy to limit government growth in contrast to the success story of Switzerland's model of direct democracy & confederation. Read the book and decide for yourself if the unique Swiss political model that preserves personal liberty & controls government should be copied in the U.S. and around the world. - Ronald Holland
Direct Democracy in Switzerland - by Gregory A. Fossedal; New Brunswick, New
Jersey: Transaction Publishers, 2002, 287 pages, hardback $39.95, paperback $29.95
“The people can never willfully betray their own interests; but they may possibly be betrayed by representatives of the people.” - The Federalist, No. 63
The history of the American Republic and the Swiss Confederation clearly shows how fleeting and short-lived representative democracy is when compared to the stability of the Swiss model of direct democracy.
The tiny nation of Switzerland is heralded by champions of liberty and limited-government for their dedication to armed neutrality, and financial, economic and personal freedoms on one hand. Conversely, the Swiss Confederation is often hated by revenue hungry politicians, special interests and others all too often out to fleece others out of liberty and wealth.
Why Is Switzerland Different? Why is Switzerland so different from the rest of the world? How have they been able to retain a decentralized limited central government controlled ultimately by the people when all other nations have not? Do the Swiss people love and defend liberty more than others? Is there some 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 ranging from German, French and Italian survived and prospered so much when other surrounding nations have succumbed to fascism, extreme nationalism, communism, or multi-national unions and alliances?
I believe their long-term success is due to two unique political institutions. First is their political structure of direct democracy protected by the right of referendum and initiative on the national level. Second is their decentralized structure of state confederation government where most of the powers and authority are based at the local and cantonal (state) level.
The authors of "Direct Democracy in Switzerland" have made an excellent case for the merits of Swiss direct democracy and I urge all of you to buy and read the book. Although directly about Switzerland, this book and the Swiss success story can serve as a model for other nations and political movements around the world.
Although some conservatives and libertarians might question the authors, Gregory Fossedal (Chairman of the Tocqueville Institution), Alfred R. Berkeley III (Chairman of the Nasdaq stock exchange), and Rich Holbrooke (Ambassador to the U.N. and Assistant Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration), on many philosophical and political views; on Switzerland there is much we can agree upon.
Even their occasional liberal bias on other issues can’t obscure the success of the Swiss political model, although they somewhat shortchange the parallels of the decentralized Swiss Confederation structure with our own Articles of Confederation and the short-lived Confederate constitution.
In addition, the Swiss neutral foreign policy example first exemplified by George Washington, is not closely compared to today's Washington interventionist global foreign policy of intimidation and force around the world.
“The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connections as possible. It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances, with any portion of the foreign world,” said George Washington.
The Best Description of the Swiss Political System - Still the book is the best explanation of the political success of the unique Swiss system consisting of a weak decentralized federal government held in check ultimately by the people and the individual cantons (states) that I have read, to date. The authors obvious respect for Switzerland and its political institutions crosses the narrow domestic bounds of liberal and conservative we are so consumed with here in the United States.
"Direct Democracy in Switzerland" is an important analysis of Swiss democracy and a timely reminder that there is a successful, peaceful, prosperous, democratic example and solution to the ethnic, religious and political differences as well as foreign policy objectives which does not involve big government at home or aggressive military intervention around the world. From a historical perspective, this should be very relevant to readers supporting limited government powers as the success of Switzerland in retaining their confederation and direct democracy clearly shows what we have lost here in the United States.
In hindsight, the initial replacement of the Articles of Confederation, the first independent American central government established by our patriot Founding Fathers after Shays's Rebellion, helped to set the stage for the future Republican Party power grab and destruction of state sovereignty during the 1860's. For more information on the death of the the Articles of Confederation, read "John Hancock's Big Toe and the Constitution" by Dr. Gary North. The War Between the States and invasion of the CSA another confederation modeled on the Articles of Confederation, by Lincoln and his eastern establishment manufacturing and railroad interests, destroyed the Southern short-lived second American experiment in limited confederation government.
Direct Democracy Protects Minority Interests - I would like to suggest that "Direct Democracy in Switzerland" is also an important treatise for the fledging European Union (EU) that offers a very successful model and decentralized political solutions for the future of the E.U. which may avoid the fatal mistakes of the American model which have been all too often flawed by an out-of-control federal government, unnecessary foreign wars, and growing special interest control over our two-party political system.
The Swiss concept of “Willensnation,” a growth by attraction—the voluntary association of neighboring principalities, cities, and individuals makes Switzerland a nation created by acts of the free will. How totally different from the American model of “manifest destiny,” conquer, acquire and rule, not to mention the outright invasion of the Southern states by Lincoln’s armies.
Finally, the Swiss experiment in direct democracy and their almost obsessive protection of minority interests, views, culture and language offers a realistic solution to the ethnic problems of post Saddam modern-day Iraq, the multi-racial problems of South Africa and most importantly a workable solution to the Israeli and Palestinian conflict in the Middle East that doesn’t involve oppression and top-down government controls.
The Swiss Success With Diversity - The Swiss ideas of limited decentralized confederation and direct democracy of the electorate have created the most peaceful, prosperous, and open society in the world, that goes out of its way to protect minority interests at all levels of society. All of this in a nation with few natural resources, four distinct ethnic groups, two major religious conflicts and a limited population all in the center of a 19th and 20th century Europe of empires and wars. Their unique national model is a success surrounded by big government failures. I believe what many fear is a bleak future for personal liberties and limited government in such disparate nations and political jurisdictions as the United States, the European Union and the Middle East conflicts could be solved by the Swiss solution of limited confederation central government and a direct democracy of the people.
Do not forget that the Swiss defied Hitler and won. They out-lasted the failed fascist and communist experiments of the 20th century and I feel assured will ultimately resist the power of both the American Empire and the European Union to betray their independence and citizens. I hope and pray their successful model of statecraft and government will become the future of nations in the European Union, the Middle East and yes, even here in the United States today.
Imagine a nation where the voters not only have the right of referendum to overturn central government dictates as well as parliamentary or congressional excess but where the citizens can actually initiate and create legislation, laws, regulations and policy—all through their initiative process in Switzerland. All while the citizens ultimately judge the constitutionality of statues and write and update their own constitution.
I am a patriotic citizen and love the history of the American experiment in limited and representative government. But I long for a return to the original American Dream of our Patriot Founding Fathers as well as for the state sovereignty and constitutional principles my Confederate ancestors fought for and lost their battle to preserve the best of the American Republic.
Direct Democracy Is Superior To Representative Democracy In Controlling Government & Politicians - Notice at the left how the Swiss people and the cantons (similar to our states) are at the top of the system and in control as opposed to the US system. Although our forefathers and their sometimes narrow, antiquated and self-righteous views need to be updated to our open 21st century views on equality and diversity, they were right on target about government, special interest control and the ultimate frailty of representative government and democratic traditions to withstand the tyranny of total democracy or mob rule, as they called it. The Helvetian Confederation (Switzerland) offers the only unblemished success story of real democracy in the world today. I hope more nations, political movements and think tanks will seek to educate the public on the Swiss success in direct democracy.
Much of the modern-day world would do well to study, understand and emulate the Swiss example. Aggressive war, growing religious extremism, terrorism, ethnic and religious bigotry and conflict, as well as the often heavy handed tyranny of majorities could be avoided and supplanted by the Swiss example of direct democracy.
Victor Hugo wrote: “Switzerland will have the last world in history.” My prayer is their story will not remain in the past as history, but rather in our new 21st century world, the Swiss model will be studied and copied to transform the top-down, big government failures of the 20th century into the restoration of legitimate limited governments restrained by direct democracy around the world.
Thanks to Frank Suess of BFI Consulting in Switzerland for the Swiss political system graphic shown above.
Ronald Holland is editor of a several websites, author of three books and almost a hundred reports and articles on international finance, travel, history and marketing. He has visited Switzerland over 40 times, lived and worked in Geneva, Switzerland and was president of a U.S.-based Swiss owned investment firm licensed in over 47 states. He created the first Swiss franc denominated variable annuity portfolio in the United States.
He has spoken extensively on Switzerland at financial conferences around the world and written numerous reports including a critique of the Nazi gold controversy in "Trading With the Enemy: The Whole Story", to writing the text for Louis Ruckeyser of TV’s “Wall Street Week” tape called “The Gnomes of Zurich,” describing the history of Swiss banking and financial services..Ronald and constitutional scholar John Graham of Quebec, are in the process of creating The Swiss Confederation Institute to educate the public about the success story of Switzerland's unique model of direct democracy and limited confederation government. They believe the Swiss political model should be emulated and adapted to meet national and local needs in the U.S., the European Union and in the Middle East. as this political system best preserves personal liberty, promotes decentralized government powers and services and guarantees citizen participation in government They hope the Swiss model of direct democracy and confederation will be studied and help transform the top-down, big government failures of the 20th century into the restoration of limited governments restrained by direct democracy around the world in our new 21st century.
Ronald has retired from financial services and is a Broker/Realtor in a 5,000 acre four-season mountain resort in North Carolina where he lives above the ski slopes in an area that reminds him of the Swiss Jura Mountains. To contact him, go to the Holland Marketing Group or e-mail him directly at skironholland@yahoo.com
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