Cluster: Democracy

Basic income: A 500-year-old idea whose time has come?

This content was published on May 10, 2016 Exactly half a millennium after the idea first surfaced, Switzerland will hold the world’s first nationwide vote on an unconditional income for all.

Opinion

Democracy

Unconditional basic income: a risky gamble

This content was published on May 10, 2016 Rolling around in CHF 0.05 coins on Bern’s parliament square and handing out CHF10 notes for free in Zurich’s main station: the advertising campaign for an unconditional basic income certainly promises the Swiss a golden future. The notion behind the initiative is that if people are financially secure, they can look after the important things…

Opinion

Democracy

Unconditional income could pave way for future

This content was published on May 10, 2016 According to the former Swiss government spokesman, a micro tax levied on money transactions could help finance such an unconditional income and be welcome. A “yes” vote to the initiative for an unconditional basic income would pave the way to the future of our work-oriented society. Let’s go beyond the Swiss borders and look at…

Democracy

What Switzerland and the EU have in common – and where they differ

This content was published on May 9, 2016 The European Union has become a bit “Swisser” since April 1, 2012. Since that day more than four years ago, the 500 million citizens of the 28 member states have been able to play a direct role in the EU law-making process. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is the first ever transnational law enabling direct-democratic…

Democracy

Grassroots democracy: road works ahead

This content was published on May 7, 2016 I know it’s not a fair comparison. This is definitely an apples and oranges kind of thing but bear with me. With an economy in overdrive, a huge workforce at its disposal and flush in cash, the Chinese government is a master at fast tracking infrastructure projects. In contrast, my small town of Spiez located…

Democracy

Basic income crowdfunder sees Swiss vote’s potential

This content was published on May 4, 2016 The Swiss will soon vote on whether to give everyone an unconditional basic income. American Scott Santens has already achieved that for himself.

Democracy

Too much election money ‘hollows out’ democracy

This content was published on May 4, 2016 “Too much money in elections hollows out democracy,” Annan told the audience at the Geneva Graduate Institute attending a public debate entitled, “Are elections giving democracy a bad name?” “We must recognise that the growing and sometimes pernicious influence of money, especially in elections even in well-established and seemingly stable democracies really does distort democracy.”…

Democracy

EU parliamentarian cautions against ‘too many votes’

This content was published on May 4, 2016 Dohrmann says it is important for the 28-nation bloc to increase citizens’ participation to prevent the gulf between the political elite and ordinary people from widening. In an interview with the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, Dohrmann agreed that Swiss-style direct democracy could “in principle” serve as a model. “It is important for people to have…

Democracy

Vast majority of Swiss prefer bilateral path with EU

This content was published on May 3, 2016 A survey by the University of Geneva published on Tuesday found that 66% of German-speaking citizens, 69% of French-speaking citizens and 57% of Italian-speaking citizens give priority to the bilateral accords with the EU. Support for the bilaterals is highest among the centre-left Social Democrats (+90%), followed by the centre-right Radicals and Christian Democrats (80%).…

Democracy

Beyond elitist promoters and populist leavers

This content was published on May 2, 2016 “Democratic Participation in a Citizen’s Europe: What Next for the EU?“External link is the title of a one day gathering at Liverpool’s Foresight Centre on May 5. Hosted by the Liverpool European Law UnitExternal link, the Democratic SocietyExternal link and the ECI CampaignExternal link civil society activists, politicians, journalists, administrators and academics will address not…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

More

Basic income: A 500-year-old idea whose time has come?

More

Unconditional basic income: a risky gamble

More

Unconditional income could pave way for future

More

What Switzerland and the EU have in common – and where they differ

More

Grassroots democracy: road works ahead

More

Basic income crowdfunder sees Swiss vote’s potential

More

Too much election money ‘hollows out’ democracy

More

EU parliamentarian cautions against ‘too many votes’

More

Vast majority of Swiss prefer bilateral path with EU

More

Beyond elitist promoters and populist leavers

Popular Stories

Most Discussed