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> When they are rare, and limited, and like in Switzerland not something pulled on a whim but actually requires some work to call, they might just work. In Swi
by Inthenameofmine 10y ago
> When they are rare, and limited, and like in Switzerland not something pulled on a whim but actually requires some work to call, they might just work.
In Switzerland you essentially vote on 2-5 issues every quarter. I think this very regularity has educated the people.
It also helps that by law, if you vote on a proposal that would increase spending, you aso vote on how much your taxes increase. In the case of the Gotard Tunnel it was 1.6% increase in income tax for several decades (if I'm not mistaken). Swiss even vote on buying fighter jets, etc. You would be surprised how well it works.
All that said, the swiss constitution actually states that it is the job of the government to make sure the people have a good standard of living. So many social policies which would be difficult to get through constitutionally in lets say the US are rather simple in the Switzerland.
My only big nitpick in the swiss system is the lack of minority protection an little to no checks and balances by the supreme court on referenda.
- mstade 10y agoSorry, that should say "when they are regular" – not rare. Have edited my post. Do you find the regularity of referendums naturally makes people more inclined to be educated on the issues at hand? Anecdata obviously, but nevertheless interesting.
- Inthenameofmine 10y agoMost definitely, yes. That, and the fact that there is no real parliamentary opposition vying for as many populist points. (see my other comments in this thread).