Cluster: Democracy

From Finland and Switzerland with love

This content was published on Dec 1, 2014 Just in time for the festive season two countries have sent out a couple of very friendly messages to the rest of the world. While the Swiss offered a genuine lesson in openness and modern direct democracy, Finland’s first successful citizens’ initiative made (almost) everybody happy.

Democracy

ECHR under pressure on Swiss anniversary

This content was published on Nov 27, 2014 Not everyone is joining the party as the Swiss celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ratification of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Democracy

‘Direct democracy is not a religion’

This content was published on Nov 24, 2014 Switzerland is a model democracy but safeguards are needed to improve the system and avoid ‘accidents’ like the anti-minaret vote, declares Swiss comic and writer Vincent Kucholl.

Opinion

Democracy

How direct democracy helps US become a better place

This content was published on Nov 17, 2014 Poor America! At first sight the recent US midterm elections offer little relief. America’s traumatised society seems unable to find common ground on anything. But there is a way forward and it comes via direct democracy, reports Bruno Kaufmann, editor-in-chief of people2power.info.

Opinion

Democracy

Catalonia’s beleaguered democracy

This content was published on Nov 11, 2014 Over two million Catalans took part in a symbolic independence vote on Sunday with 80% backing secession from Spain. But the non-binding result does not solve sovereignty issues. The problem is not the limits of the constitution, but rather incompetent political leaders, says Yanina Welp, a political scientist from Zurich University.

Democracy

Catalonia: 80% back independence in mock vote

This content was published on Nov 10, 2014 Despite opposition from Spain’s central government, two million Catalans have taken part in a symbolic vote on the political future of the north-eastern Catalonia region. According to partial results, more than 80% backed an independent Catalonia.

Opinion

Democracy

US mid-terms: The ugly Beast and its unlikely Beauty

This content was published on Nov 2, 2014 Democracy in America has seen better days ever since French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville first visited the United States more than two centuries ago. It has turned into an ugly beast with too much money and too little participation. However, at the heart of it all you can still find unlikely beauties, writes Bruno Kaufmann, editor-in-chief of people2power.info.

Democracy

Overpopulation vote stirs debate on root cause

This content was published on Oct 30, 2014 Twice a month small groups of men meet under the shade of a tree or in the village square in the west African country of Niger. They are not there to discuss how “Menas”, the Nigerien football team is faring or to indulge in a spot of “Lutte Traditionnelle”, the popular sport of traditional wrestling…

Democracy

Swiss observer: Tunisia vote of ʻextraordinary qualityʼ

This content was published on Oct 28, 2014 The head of the Council of Europe election monitoring mission to Tunisia, Andreas Gross, has praised the recent electoral process. The Swiss parliamentarian said the vote “ends a crucial stage in the post-revolution transition”.

Democracy

“A country with too much opposition is no longer governable”

This content was published on Oct 27, 2014 Excerpts from Claude Longchamp’s talk on direct democracy in Switzerland to the Armenian OSCE delegation.

Cluster: Democracy

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Cluster: Democracy

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From Finland and Switzerland with love

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ECHR under pressure on Swiss anniversary

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‘Direct democracy is not a religion’

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How direct democracy helps US become a better place

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Catalonia’s beleaguered democracy

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Catalonia: 80% back independence in mock vote

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US mid-terms: The ugly Beast and its unlikely Beauty

More

Overpopulation vote stirs debate on root cause

More

Swiss observer: Tunisia vote of ʻextraordinary qualityʼ

More

“A country with too much opposition is no longer governable”

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