Cluster: Democracy

‘The Young Generation will Change Ukraine’

This content was published on Aug 24, 2015 Could Bohdan Hawrylyshyn ever have imagined, when he left his native Ukraine at age 20, what a successful career he would have and how he would influence global economic and political processes? Probably not, but that’s what happened. During the Second World War he ended up in Germany, after which he emigrated to Canada. Since…

Democracy

Swiss court dismisses calls for TV/radio vote recount

This content was published on Aug 19, 2015 The Swiss Federal Court has rejected calls for a recount of the June vote to reform Switzerland’s public radio and television funding system - the closest ever in Swiss history.

Opinion

Democracy

If you want the Olympics, do not ask the people

This content was published on Aug 17, 2015 “And the winner is … Beijing.” This summer’s announcement by the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, of the hosts of the 2022 Winter Games was met around the world by a large sigh. Staging the world’s biggest winter sports event in a smog-ridden megalopolis without any snow and a record of…

Democracy

Citizen participation takes root in the village

This content was published on Aug 16, 2015 At the end of May, some 30 people met in the parish hall of a municipality of some 7,000 inhabitants situated on a hillside in the Lake Geneva region. They were responding to the call of a movement born one month earlier and baptised Mount Citizen: Democracy – Solidarity – Ecology. The goal of the…

Democracy

‘Democracy does not fall from the sky’

This content was published on Aug 15, 2015 Speaking in Geneva at this year’s congress of the Swiss abroad, Leuthard stressed the importance of civic education to uphold democracy and the role of the expatriate community to give an outside perspective on Switzerland. Schools, teachers with a passion for civic education as well as quality media and the internet play a central part…

Democracy

What is civic education?

This content was published on Aug 14, 2015 Swiss citizens can either propose legislation of their own, or work to defeat legislation already approved by parliament. However, democracy only works if people understand the rules and play along. Many democracies suffer from poor participation in the voting process, due to poor civic education. There’s room for improvement in Switzerland too. (Michele Andina, swissinfo.ch)

‘Defeatism’ is destabilising state, warns Swiss minister

This content was published on Aug 9, 2015 The increasing lack of compromise in Swiss politics and criticism of political institutions is having a damaging effect on the system, warns Swiss Finance Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf.

Democracy

‘Every vote counts – including yours’

This content was published on Jul 31, 2015 Every August 1, the president has a special message for the 750,000 Swiss who live abroad. This year the focus is on Switzerland's direct democracy.

Opinion

Democracy

People Power Night at Denmark’s ‘Liquor Parliament’

This content was published on Jul 27, 2015 No country celebrates its democracy like Denmark. But is that democracy still worth celebrating?

Opinion

Democracy

‘Direct democracy isn’t feasible in modern societies’

This content was published on Jul 23, 2015 Switzerland, despite being applauded as a role model of direct democracy in a modern society, actually applies an indirect democracy instead. However, its political system leaves room for direct election and referendum. Why is direct democracy not possible in modern societies? There are several reasons. Direct democracy comes with high costs and high risks, it…

Cluster: Democracy

Popular Stories

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Cluster: Democracy

More

‘The Young Generation will Change Ukraine’

More

Swiss court dismisses calls for TV/radio vote recount

More

If you want the Olympics, do not ask the people

More

Citizen participation takes root in the village

More

‘Democracy does not fall from the sky’

More

What is civic education?

More

‘Defeatism’ is destabilising state, warns Swiss minister

More

‘Every vote counts – including yours’

More

People Power Night at Denmark’s ‘Liquor Parliament’

More

‘Direct democracy isn’t feasible in modern societies’

Popular Stories

Most Discussed