Cluster: Democracy

‘The Erasmus generation’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 When the founding fathers established the fundamental pillars of what is to be the European Union, after experiencing the atrocities of totalitarianism and lack of freedom, they did not anticipate what the outcome would be; they just had a dream of a Europe with no borders and boundaries, to eliminate the possibility of populism and…

‘Petition for Europe’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 The closer to home or wallet legislation comes, the more motivated citizens are to participate. On my petitioning website, I see that half of the petitions are addressed to the local government, about very specific issues. The other half is more often about symbolic issues on the national level. When citizens petition the national government…

‘Democracy starts with awareness’

This content was published on May 2, 2016 Therefore, it shall be a constitutional bound, so intense to connect every single action of each European institution. European institutions’ juridical acts should be permeated by the sense of encouraging the inclusion of people in the ruling system and in the political agenda of the EU. “Democracy is of the people, for the people and…

Democracy

Poll finds basic income proposal doomed to fail

This content was published on Apr 29, 2016 The survey, commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation – swissinfo.ch’s parent company – and published on Friday, found just 24% of respondents would vote for a basic income. This graphic shows the breakdown and poll projections for other vote issues that day. “The overwhelming majority of opponents is likely to get even bigger as is…

Democracy

Public broadcasting as an instrument of democracy

This content was published on Apr 29, 2016 Digitalisation is revolutionising the media world. New technologies allow and demand new media formats. They are altering user behaviour and changing the competition landscape internationally. Switzerland also needs a public service media company that reflects the country in the 21st century. In common with all audio-visual media, public service broadcasters in general and the SBC…

Democracy

Five thoughts on democracy from Ai Weiwei

This content was published on Apr 28, 2016 On the lack of democracy in China: “China is a society where every decision is made by officials. It is not a democratic society. There is no discussion at any level. That’s my impression. How profit is made, what is sacrificed to achieve that, where money is invested for the future, in education, or in society…

Democracy

‘Voting rights in Switzerland can’t be free’

This content was published on Apr 27, 2016 “Swiss living abroad are also foreigners in their countries of residency. They often have a firm view of what’s happening in Switzerland, and at the same time they take part in political life in their adopted countries,” Walter Leimgruber, President of the Federal Migration Commission, pointed out at a recent event. Leimgruber’s conclusion is that…

Democracy

How a German state grapples with direct democracy

This content was published on Apr 27, 2016 “We want to turn Baden-Württemberg into a model of democratic participation.” This ambitious pledge by the Green Party was made in a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats in 2011. Germany’s third-largest state shares its southern border with Switzerland and its western border with France. It was shaken by a political earthquake four years ago.…

Democracy

Public services in voter spotlight

This content was published on Apr 26, 2016 Four Swiss consumer magazines launched the people’s initiative, “In support of public sector services”External link, citing complaints by their readers. But so far, the initiative has won few supporters. The initiative calls for three changes. “Firstly, that the government not set profit-making goals for basic services; secondly, that the profits from public companies are not used…

Democracy

Are motorists the cash cows of Switzerland?

This content was published on Apr 26, 2016 The proposal calls for the revenue from the mineral oil tax to be exclusively used for financing road construction. Up until now, around CHF1.5 billion ($1.57 billion) of this revenue has gone towards the overall state budget. Car owners pay around CHF7.2 billion in taxes and duties into the treasury each year. Automobile associations even…

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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‘The Erasmus generation’

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‘Petition for Europe’

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‘Democracy starts with awareness’

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Poll finds basic income proposal doomed to fail

More

Public broadcasting as an instrument of democracy

More

Five thoughts on democracy from Ai Weiwei

More

‘Voting rights in Switzerland can’t be free’

More

How a German state grapples with direct democracy

More

Public services in voter spotlight

More

Are motorists the cash cows of Switzerland?

Popular Stories

Most Discussed