Involving people living in a country in decision making. Example: Switzerland
One of the things, I find fascinating about Switzerland, is that the people are regularly involved in decision making. According to the Federal Constitution, the Swiss people are sovereign and ultimately the supreme political authority. Source. You’ll find a list of referendums to be held in Switzerland here.
In this regard, I read - in "Die Weltwoche", Number 2, 2008 - a very interesting article with the title "Die Seele der Schweiz". Here’s an extract from the article:
What do you think about involving the people of a country in decision making as much as it is done in Switzerland – for example using polls on the Internet, mobile phone SMS and/or other interactive and collaborative technologies? Should other countries – in your opinion – do the same? If yes, why?
In this regard, I read - in "Die Weltwoche", Number 2, 2008 - a very interesting article with the title "Die Seele der Schweiz". Here’s an extract from the article:
"Im Gegensatz zu fast allen Ländern der Welt entstand die Schweiz in den Dörfern und Tälern und Städten: von unten nach oben. Kein Monarch arrondierte sein Gebiet, kein Zentralstaat trieb die Untertanen zusammen. In der Eidgenossenschaft schlossen sich zuerst die Orte zusammen, und sie brauchten mehr als fünfhundert Jahre, bis sie einem Bundesstaat ein paar übergreifende Kompetenzen abtraten."
What do you think about involving the people of a country in decision making as much as it is done in Switzerland – for example using polls on the Internet, mobile phone SMS and/or other interactive and collaborative technologies? Should other countries – in your opinion – do the same? If yes, why?
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