How does governance work in Switzerland, and what impact does it have on society

DISPERSING POWER

It works by dispersing power and not just political power at that – Federal, Cantonal, Communal. At the Federal level 7 ministers drawn from different parties, not even the leaders of their parties, with a rotating presidency, where the president is more of a facilitator than a president with overall executive power.

The federal parliament has responsibility for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, National Defence and Security, Monetary and Economic Policy, Transportation and Infrastructure, Environment and Energy, Social Security and Health, Education and Research, Civil and Criminal Law, Migration and Citizenship, Public Health and Consumer Protection.

PART-TIME POLITICIANS

Switzerland has a "militia parliament", meaning: Members of Parliament (MPs) typically hold other jobs (they are part-time politicians). Parliamentary service is seen as a citizen duty, not a full-time career

HOW MANY WEEKS DOES PARLIAMENT SIT?

In terms of parliamentary sessions, the Federal Assembly (Parliament) meets in four regular sessions per year, each lasting three weeks, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, therefore it only meets 12 weeks per year in total.

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

The Swiss Parliament can function effectively with just 12 weeks of meetings per year because much of the day-to-day governance is handled by the cantons, which are semi-sovereign entities with their own constitutions, parliaments, and governments. These cantons are responsible for key areas such as education, health care, policing, and taxation, meaning the federal government only intervenes in matters of national importance. This strong decentralization and subsidiarity allow the federal level to remain lean and focused, reducing the need for constant parliamentary sessions.

FURTHER DISPERSAL OF POWER

In Switzerland, governance is further decentralized to around 2,100 communes (municipalities), which are the smallest political units and play a crucial role in everyday public life. With a total population of about 8.9 million, this means there is one commune for roughly every 4,200 people, though many are much smaller.

RESIDENTS CAN VOTE NOT JUST PEOPLE ON THE COUNCIL

Communes are responsible for local services such as primary education, water supply, local roads, waste management, building permits, and civil registries. They also have their own elected councils and budgets, and in many cases, residents vote directly on local issues through communal referenda. This deep local autonomy reinforces democratic participation and allows decisions to be made closest to the citizens they affect.

THE INDICATORS OF CANTONAL SEMI-SOVEREIGNTY

Each Swiss canton operates with its own constitution, parliament, and government, giving it a high degree of autonomy within the federal structure. Cantons have their own tax regimes, allowing them to set income and corporate tax rates independently, which has created healthy inter-cantonal competition and diversity in fiscal policy. Many cantons also maintain their own cantonal banks, often state-owned, which serve regional economic needs and operate alongside private institutions.

Law enforcement is similarly decentralized, with each canton managing its own police force, training, and operational priorities, independent from other cantons and the federal level. In areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure planning, cantonal governments make their own policy decisions, often tailored to linguistic, cultural, or geographic specificities. This level of institutional independence, including control over justice systems and civil service appointments, makes Swiss cantons functionally akin to semi-sovereign states within a federal compact.

MAKING EACH REGION ATTRACTIVE & LIFTING UP SOCIETY

Cantonal competition in Switzerland drives continual improvement across society by creating a system where each canton must strive to offer attractive conditions for residents, businesses, and investment.

Because cantons can set their own tax rates, manage public services, and shape education and health policies, they are incentivized to govern efficiently and innovatively. Poorly managed cantons risk losing talent and capital to better-run neighbours, which naturally encourages transparency, fiscal responsibility, and citizen responsiveness. This decentralised model fosters experimentation—successful policies in one canton can inspire others to adopt or adapt them, leading to organic nationwide progress.

TRANSAPRENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY ENHANCED

It also strengthens accountability, as citizens can directly compare outcomes and demand better. The result is a culture of excellence, competition not for dominance but for good governance, which raises the quality of life, encourages civic participation, and aligns public administration more closely with the needs and aspirations of local populations.

COMPARISON WITH REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEMS

Unlike representative democracies where power is concentrated in professional political classes and distant institutions, Switzerland’s model of direct democracy disperses power across multiple levels—federal, cantonal, and communal—giving citizens a continuous and meaningful role in governance.

DECISION MAKING THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO CITIZENS

This structure fosters a leaner federal government, deeper local accountability, and more responsive public services. Because decisions are made closer to those affected by them, and because citizens regularly participate in shaping laws and policies, public administration becomes more transparent, efficient, and aligned with real needs.

The competitive autonomy of cantons and communes drives innovation, fiscal discipline, and excellence in areas like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, creating a society where governance is not something done to the people, but by them—raising the bar for everyone.