1. Factors accounting for Swiss Harmony and Unity 1.Fair Laws 2.Direct Democracy 3.Compromise and Accommodation 4.External Threat 5.A Common Identity

2. 1. FAIR LAWS Swiss Constitution : All Swiss are equal before the law Four lang enjoy equal status Fed govt gives support to cantons to protect minority groups –Eg small G-community in I- speaking region –allowed to preserve its language and culture Cantons and communes are governed independently Own parliament; some laws unique to themselves Cantons and communes make their own laws decided by their citizens Thus, rights of citizens are protected

3. 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY DD - a form of government where people participate directly in the decision- making process in all govt matters Every person can vote or has a choice about every decision made Decision-making shared among the people All above 18 can vote

4. 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY REFERENDUM Fed/national level : Swiss are called to vote on various issues - usually 4 times a year Vote on issues from membership in int’l orgns to legislation of hard drugs Canton level : people elect own cantonal govt Decide and vote on education, public health and local taxes No school, theatre or hosp is built without people’s consent Commune level : people elect own govt and vote on matters of concern to them Almost everything in CH is subject to a referendum

5. 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY REFERENDUM Swiss citizens decide whether any decision by parliament is accepted or rejected Do so by a REFERENDUM Obtain 50,000 signatures if one wishes to reject parliament’s proposal or propose a new law Then he can get the govt to hold a referendum on the issue All new laws must have Support of majority of citizens Majority of cantons Examples : Ban on firing of guns during religious festivals Rejection of legalisation of drugs

6. Change to the Federal Constitution needs 100,000 signatures Known as an INITIATIVE Needs more signature because changing the Constitution is more serious For an Initiative to be passed, must be agreed by : –Majority of citizens –Majority of cantons 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

7. 1971 : Proposal allowing women to vote Before 1972, Swiss women had no right to vote An Initiative changed this 1989 : An Initiative was signed by 113,000 to abolish the Swiss army Turned down by a margin of almost 2:1 Set off a fierce debate on the usefulness of an army in a small neutral country 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

8. The Swiss value independence & responsibility of governing themselves through this process of Direct Democracy Their direct participation has given them a strong sense of belonging and a stake in building their own community Shared decision making is valued and cherished 2. DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

9. Peace and harmony within cantons and communes Mainly because of a high level of respect and tolerance for each other For minority groups by majority groups and vice- versa Possible because the Swiss value peace and harmony among different language and religious groups This respect for each other enabled different groups to retain individuality 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION

10. Swiss history has shown how fragile society is if they do not exercise tolerance and restraint Led to conflicts among different groups in the past Swiss have been able to go beyond respect to compromise with each other Compromise involves one group giving up certain demands or rights so as to avoid conflict In Switzerland, compromise is a higher form of respect Let’s look at the ways they compromise with and accommodate each other 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION

11. Swiss realise that power to govern must be shared among the main language groups to ensure harmony Should not be dominated by any single group Contrast with Sri Lanka where power-sharing is impossible Why the difference? Power-sharing in Switzerland : one way to avoid decisions by a majority group Esp important in matters relating to minority groups Process of negotiation and compromise See page 80 Fig 14 on how power is shared in the Federal Council (FC) 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION POWER-SHARING

12. Representation of language and religious groups in FC based on proportion in their country Until late 1999, the 3 main language groups were represented in this 7-member Council 4G, 2F and 1I Corresponds to proportion in population Romansh is usually not represented (only 1% of pop) Late 1999 : 5G and 2F 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION POWER-SHARING : Language

13. Swiss population : fairly equal number of Catholics and Protestants In FC : fairly balanced representation The 4 political parties are all represented in FC based on number of votes they received 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION POWER-SHARING : Religion & Political Parties

14. Power-sharing within the Federal Assembly which is made up of 2 Councils The National Council –Reps from cantons and various political parties –Each canton elects reps in proportion to its population Council of States Power-sharing is also practiced in the Swiss Army and the postal service See Page 82 Fig 16 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION POWER-SHARING : Federal Assembly

15. The main advantage of power-sharing in Switzerland is that it gives importance to minority groups They have a say in matters of concern to them Thus their interests are looked after Gives them a sense of belonging Helps to promote harmony in the country 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION POWER-SHARING : Advantage

16. G-Swiss – majority Nothing to prevent them from controlling the govt but they do not To avoid conflict, they are very careful about the feelings of minority groups Eg subsidy of French schools in G-cantons –G-Swiss gives up right to spend more money on German schools so that French schools can be subsidised –G-Swiss also agreed to set aside more jobs in the Civil Service for indigenous minority groups 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION FAVORING THE MINORITY

17. Fed govt : Spends more $ on French and Italian broadcasting prog than on German prog despite the former being the minority –Eg the smallest radio-TV network for I-Swiss receives 25% of total budget for radio & TV prog –5 times more than the share due to them Look at Fig 17 on Page 83 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION FAVORING THE MINORITY

18. All bank notes in Switzerland bear the name of the Swiss National Bank in the 4 official languages Public signs are also usually in 3 official languages and English 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION Bank Notes and Public Signs

19. In some countries, minority groups expect favourable treatment from majority groups But not in Switzerland where they are willing to compromise to avoid conflict Eg All official documents issued by Fed govt are in German –Although the official lang are given equal status in the Constitution –Subsequently translated into French and Italian –F- and I-Swiss willing to accommodate this procedure 3. COMPROMISE & ACCOMMO- DATION Mutual Respect

20. One reason why the Swiss stay united : Fear of external invasion History : Many external threats To protect itself : Adopted policy of neutrality since 16 th century After invasion by Napoleon, Swiss were determined never to allow another invasion again Spend resources building a strong army that anticipated new threats 4. EXTERNAL THREAT Fear of Invasion

21. WWI : Swiss neutrality threatened when G-Swiss passed military secrets to Germany WWII : Threatened by a German invasion Mobilised entire army of 250,000 within a few days Its readiness to defend itself made enemy afraid to attack it Neighbouring countries also respected Swiss neutrality Explains why Switzerland was not attacked in WWII 4. EXTERNAL THREAT WWI & WWII

22. WWII : Swiss borders patrolled by 850,000 troops Fortresses built in the Alps to repel any German attack 1940 : Germany ignored Swiss neutrality and sent warplanes into Swiss airspace They were shot down and the invasion stopped 4. EXTERNAL THREAT WWII

23. Swiss army constantly prepared and ready Conscription : Compulsory National Service for all able- bodied men between 20 and 50 All undergo basic military training followed by 8 years of annual training Officers : train up to 50 or 55 Military preparedness deeply rooted in the Swiss Each man keeps his own weapon at home, ready for action 4. EXTERNAL THREAT Military Service

24. Swiss army brought people from different backgrounds together for a common purpose – to defend the country People and army are one as army is made up of citizen soldiers For the young male Swiss, time in the army is when they mix with other men from different lang or religious groups NS is significant in uniting the different lang or religious groups 4. EXTERNAL THREAT Military Service

25. Majority of Swiss believe that remaining neutral is the best way to ensure national security and independence A strong army with sophisticated weapons is necessary to help maintain this In the course of history, Switzerland has developed its own defence strategies to meet its special needs Despite its small physical size and limited natural resources, Switzerland has a very strong national defence system 4. EXTERNAL THREAT Military Service

26. Differences between groups have never been serious enough for the country to fall apart Awareness of a shared history of 700 years – bind Swiss in unity History of Switzerland began in 1291 Page 87 The will of the people to be an independent nation is an identity all Swiss are proud of 5. A COMMON IDENTITY Shared History

27. 1940 : Surrounded by countries at war Swiss General, Henri Guisan, gathered 500 senior military officers again on Rutli meadow, the legendary birthplace of Switzerland Called on them to stand united and fight the enemy, whatever the cost This gathering was an inspiring and significant moment in Swiss history 5. A COMMON IDENTITY Shared History

28. Guisan introduced a new defence concept Withdrew the army from the borders and lowlands Concentrated it in the Alps Determination of the Swiss army to defend the Alps from 1940 to 1945 helped prevent an invasion Since then, the Alps have become a symbol of national pride Gave the people a strong sense of unity WWII : Germans stopped food supply to Switzerland Swiss solved it by growing potatoes Despite this and other planned German invasions, the Swiss never surrendered 5. A COMMON IDENTITY Shared History

29. A country of many traditions A rich culture kept alive over centuries Celebrates its heritage with holidays and festivals Vary from canton to canton Often reflect local traditions Put on traditional costumes with pride All these give the Swiss an identity to be proud of 5. A COMMON IDENTITY Rich Culture

30. Sharing something in common allows the Swiss to feel different from their neighbouring countries Strong will of the people to remain independent has given them a common identity Swiss created the phrase “Willensnation” – “a nation by will” Direct democracy, power- sharing, neutrality, a common history and a rich culture have served to give the Swiss a sense of national identity 5. A COMMON IDENTITY Willensnation

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