2. A Brief Outline: The Economist Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Toh Ow Siaw Poh (TOPS)

3. 1) Definitions 2) TOPS Index 3) Switzerland

4. D e m o c r a c y c a n b e s e e n a s a s e t o f p r a c t i c e s a n d p r i n c i p l e s t h a t i n s t i t u t i o n a l i s e a n d t h u s u l t i m a t e l y p r o t e c t f r e e d o m

5. Features of a Democracy (The Economist)

6. D e m o c r a c y d e s c r i b e s a p h i l o s o p h y t h a t i n s i s t s o n t h e r i g h t a n d t h e c a p a c i t y o f a p e o p l e, a c t i n g e i t h e r d i r e c t l y o r t h r o u g h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s, t o c o n t r o l t h e i r i n s t i t u t i o n s f o r t h e i r o w n p u r p o s e s

7. Features of a Democracy (Encyclopedia) Democracy Equality of individuals Freedom from restraints (unless self-imposed) Consent of the majority Principle of Equality

8. D e m o c r a c y i s a s y s t e m o f g o v e r n m e n t w h i c h v e s t s p o w e r i n t h e p u b l i c w i t h r e g a r d s t o d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g a t a n a t i o n a l l e v e l a n d o n t h e b a s i s o f t h e m a j o r i t y r u l e, a n d i n w h i c h c i v i l l i b e r t i e s a r e a c c o r d e d e q u a l l y t o a l l c i t i z e n s a n d a r e p r o t e c t e d b y t h e C o n s t i t u t i o n.

9. 1) Definitions 2) TOPS Index 3) Switzerland

10. System of Evaluation (TOPS) Indicators of Democracy Embodies fundamental features of democracy Scored on a scale of 5 bands (Rubrics system) Each band has a descriptor Broad Categories Represent components of country’s functioning Classification of indicators Based on scores of indicators, percentage score of each category is calculated Degree of Democracy Score of all the categories are aggregated to obtain final score of the country 0 – 25: authoritarian regime 26 –50: hybrid regime 51 – 75: flawed democracy 76 – 100: full democracy

11. Indicators Categories Electoral Process Profile of voters Prevalence of Fraud Opposition Governmen t Structure Representation Diversity of input into decision-making Distribution in power Governmen t functioning & processes Market System Freedom from corruption Transparency Bill-passing process Civil Liberties Quality of life Freedom of the press Freedom of expression Equal access to power

12. 1) Definitions 2) TOPS Index 3) Switzerland

13. Switzerland According to Economist Intelligence Unit democracy index 2006: – Switzerland is considered a Full Democracy – Ranked 10 th in the index (overall score: 9.02) Commonly seen as the closest state in the world to a direct democracy Politics has the framework of a multi-party federal parliamentary democratic republic

14. Advantages of TOPS Scoring system shows category scores, facilitating analysis of individual aspects of the country 5 bands instead of just 3, better accounting for differences between countries Less dependence on public opinion, which is subjective and may not really reflect the political climate of the country

16. TOPS Index: Evaluating…

17. Electoral Process Profile of voters Prevalence of electoral fraud Opposition Indicators

18. Electoral Process – Profile of voters

19. Switzerland’s profile : All Swiss citizens aged 18+ can vote There is no discrimination of gender, race, religion etc. (Universal suffrage) Even foreigners who have lived for a certain no. of years are eligible to vote Electoral Process – Profile of voters

20. Electoral Process – Presence of electoral fraud

21. Switzerland’s profile : Multi-party voting system No known instance of electoral fraud Checks and balances in place Votes sorted manually and tallied by hand Electoral Process – Presence of electoral fraud

22. Electoral Process – Opposition

23. Switzerland’s profile : Multi-party system All citizens above 18 have the right to run for office Any citizen may challenge any law at any time (no right to draft laws, only challenge laws passed by legislature) Only marginal changes in party representation Electoral Process – Opposition

24. “Magic Formula” Coalition of 4 major parties: Swiss People's Party (SVP) Social Democratic Party (SP) Free Democratic Party (FDP) Christian Democratic Party (CVP) Electoral Process – Opposition

25. TOPS Index: Evaluating…

26. Indicators Government Structure Representation Diversity of input into decision making Distribution in power

27. Government Structure – Representation

28. Switzerland’s profile: –Seats awarded based on canton size: National Council: 200 seats Council of States: 46 seats –Political power given to all Swiss citizens above 18 years –Representatives are elected –Seat distribution relative to votes mostly accurate Government Structure – Representation

29. Government structure– Diversity of Input into Decision Making Government Structure– Diversity of Input into Decision-making

30. Switzerland’s profile: –State issues addressed by government, but citizens able to influence decision making –Bicameralism is practiced –Any individual can challenge decisions made Government Structure – Diversity of Input into Decision-making

31. Government Structure – Distribution of Power

32. Switzerland’s profile: –Federal Council (Executive) appointed by, but not dependent on, parliament (legislative), with an independent judiciary –Executive has limited legislative influence –Judiciary has no power of review –Federal constitution in place Government Structure – Distribution of Power

33. TOPS Index: Evaluating…

34. Indicators Government Functioning & Processes Market System Freedom from corruption Transparency Bill-passing process

35. Government functioning & processes – Market System

36. Switzerland’s profile: –2010 Index of Economic Freedom: ranked 6 th in the world with an overall score of 81.1 –Business freedom –Trade freedom –Monetary freedom Government functioning & processes – Market System

37. Government functioning & processes – Freedom from Corruption

38. Switzerland’s profile: Ranks 5 th out of 179 countries (Corruption Perceptions Index 2008) Strict laws regarding corruption Cases of Swiss individuals/companies bribing foreign officials No cases of Swiss officials being bribed : Government functioning & processes – Freedom from Corruption

39. Government functioning & processes – Transparency

40. Switzerland’s profile: Cantons – large amount of information held by cantons, not federal government Law introduced to increase transparency Media has free access to information Hearings in parliament open to public Government functioning & processes – Transparency

41. Government functioning & processes – Bill-passing

42. Switzerland’s profile: Creation of laws: 1.Draft by administration 2.Consultation 3.Parliamentary debate and final version passed 4.Possibility of a referendum – Federal council cannot stop or influence motions, postulates or initiatives Government functioning & processes – Bill-passing

43. TOPS Index: Evaluating…

44. Indicators Civil Liberties Quality of Life Freedom of the Press Freedom of Expression Equal Access to Power

45. Civil Liberties– Quality of Life

46. Switzerland’s profile : –Effective law enforcement Cantonal police agencies Border Guard Corps –All citizens equal before the law and have the right to a fair trial –Fairly equal income distribution –Emphasis on social security (Swiss social security) Civil Liberties– Quality of Life

47. Civil Liberties– Freedom of the Press

48. Switzerland’s profile Media freedom guaranteed in the Constitution Media presents diverse viewpoints Media are politically neutral but financially dependent on government Some media is privately owned but there is limited pluralism Occasional internet restrictions (government criticism) Civil Liberties– Freedom of the Press

49. Civil Liberties– Freedom of Expression

50. Switzerland’s profile: Equality of all citizens and full religious liberty guaranteed in Constitution 4 official languages recognised Penal code prohibits racist or anti- Semitic speech Relative religious liberty in schools Federal Service for Combating Racism Civil Liberties – Freedom of Expression

51. Switzerland’s profile: Lack of religious neutrality at canton level Some religious minority groups face challenges Support for Swiss People’s Party (and other right-wing groups) despite its xenophobic and anti-Semitic tendencies –Esp. the minaret ban Civil Liberties – Freedom of Expression

52. Civil Liberties– Equal Access of Power

53. Switzerland’s profile: Elementary education is free and compulsory Women still under-represented in politics and some sectors Presence of major unions –Swiss Federation of Trade Unions –Swiss White-Collar Federation –Confederation of Christian Trade Unions Civil Liberties – Equal Access to Power

54. Switzerland’s Score: Category scores (% score) Electoral process: 86.667% Government structure: 73.333% Government functioning: 80% Civil liberties: 90% Average: 82.5 (maximum 100)

55. Switzerland’s Score: 76 < score < 100: full democracy Strongest in civil liberties, followed by electoral process, then government functioning and finally government structure

56. End (: Swiss Constitution: http://www.servat.unibe.ch/icl/sz00000.html