Swiss learn democracy by voting

Swiss-style democracy in action. Simon Opladen/swissinfo

The editor of a new book on direct democracy tells swissinfo that he wants to dispel the numerous misconceptions about the Swiss-style of politics.

“The Guidebook to Direct Democracy in Switzerland and beyond”, published on Tuesday, explains citizens’ involvement in the political decision-making process.

Bruno Kaufmann is one of the editors of the book and president of the non-governmental Initiative and Referendum Institute Europe (IRI) in Amsterdam.

Kaufmann has a very positive view of the Swiss system, which allows every citizen a say in government policy.

His institute was founded in 2001 as an independent non-profit organisation with a reputation as Europe’s Direct Democracy think tank. It also acts as a research and education institute and has published several handbooks and toolkits.

swissinfo: Direct democracy and Switzerland made the headlines recently with a controversial Swiss exhibition in Paris. What do you make of the artist Thomas Hirschhorn’s criticism of aspects of Switzerland’s direct democracy?

Bruno Kaufmann: Without knowing too much about the exhibition, I would say there is always a necessity to question the will of the people…

The whole thing triggered a useful discussion about what people in Switzerland want, how they express that, and how the institutions of direct democracy work in this country.

swissinfo: In contrast to the artist, your book focuses on the positive aspects of direct democracy.

B.K.: We aim at a balanced view. We want to show that direct democracy is an everyday working reality, which does not lead to catastrophe or anarchy.

But we express scepticism about the use of direct democracy when it comes to… granting citizenship. [In some parts of Switzerland, voters decide on individual citizenship applications.]

The book also raises questions about Switzerland’s failure to combine its system of direct democracy with a more active and open approach towards Europe.

swissinfo: On the other hand, you reject popular notions in Switzerland that direct democracy is extremely slow, or that citizens are often not competent to decide an issue.

B. K.: It’s one of our main points. Direct democracy is not something that certain ethnic groups are better at than others. It is about institutional settings, and how to use them. Citizens become competent by being involved in direct democracy – it’s learning by doing.

It’s essential to show it is not necessarily bad if some things take a bit longer in a system of direct democracy. Slowness can be an advantage, otherwise you rush one way and later you go in the opposite direction.

swissinfo: What are the main benefits and merits of the Swiss system?

B.K.: There is no such thing as one Swiss style. Direct democracy varies from region to region or even from one community to the next in Switzerland.

But you can say that the Swiss system is surprisingly citizen-friendly. It is a form of government which has allowed many minorities to live together… and to solve problems without going to war.

Direct democracy appears to have a positive impact on welfare. People have a clear sense of what is needed. The individual citizen is more than just a consumer – he or she is more aware of the society they are living in.

Take the example of the introduction of the new timetable of the Federal Railways at the weekend. It struck me how many people see it as something they are directly involved with.

swissinfo: You’ve been living in Sweden for many years. As an outsider, might you not be idealising Swiss-style democracy?

B.K.: It is a question of the perspective you chose. When you live in Switzerland you are used to the many votes and you could be more inclined to see the problems linked to direct democracy.

But you might not see that these problems are even bigger in democracies where the people have less of a say in political matters.

swissinfo: Only a minority of the population – about 40 per cent – take part in votes…

B.K.: That’s an argument that is often used. But turnout is comparable with countries which only have a vote every three or four years. The Swiss have the possibility to vote several times over the year.

Twenty per cent of the Swiss are regular voters, another 20 per cent never take part in polls, but the rest are citizens who cast their ballots when they are particularly interested in a vote. On average the Swiss are much more involved in the political decision-making process than citizens in other countries.

swissinfo: Your book offers a series of nicely presented essays as well as data, and fact sheets. Which readers did you have in mind?

B.K.: Scientists will find, for the first time, a list in English of referendums held in Switzerland, as well as the first overview about the institution of direct democracy in 32 European countries.

But the book is an eye-opener for whoever is interested or working on direct democracy, be they government officials, citizens, or political activists.

It’s not a pamphlet for or against direct democracy. We want to offer background on this form of government, considering that more than 250 million people in ten countries will vote on the new European constitution over the next two years.

Direct democracy is not an exotic or old-fashioned idea. It’s a very modern working concept.

swissinfo: To what extent is the book a public relations exercise for Switzerland?

B.K.: It is not. We use Switzerland as an example because it has the longest tradition of direct democracy.

We link the findings with other countries and set them in the context of a more general debate.

swissinfo-interview: Urs Geiser

Key facts

531 nationwide votes have been held since the creation of modern-day Switzerland in 1848.
People’s initiatives: 14 accepted, 159 rejected
Referendums: 215 accepted, 121 rejected
Parliamentary counter-proposals: 19 accepted 14 rejected

In addition voters elected a new parliament every four years and they can take part in votes and elections on cantonal and local levels.

In brief

The 2005 guidebook contains 12 introductory essays and extensive fact sheets and surveys in the second half of the book.

The book has been published in English, but the authors hope to find sponsors for further editions in other languages.

The Guidebook to Direct Democracy in Switzerland and beyond, 2005 edition, costs €50 (SFr76.70) and is available through the Initiative and Referendum Institute in Amsterdam and the Presence Switzerland agency.