Switzerland Has Decided In an interview with Blick, German speaking Switzerland’s biggest selling daily newspaper, Avenir Suisse director Gerhard Schwarz draws some initial conclusions from the referendum backing the so called “Anti Mass-immigration” initiative. The priority now will be to achieve the greatest flexibility in domestic and foreign policy in implementing the decision. It is also important not to endanger the elaborate series of bilateral treaties negotiated with the EU. 12.02.2014, Gerhard Schwarz interviewed by René Lüchinger
The Role of Direct Democracy in Fostering Competition between Local Governments That many Swiss municipalities deal sensibly with their tax revenues is not, strictly speaking, due to competition between local governments: competition is attenuated by Switzerland’s three tier system of government and by cantonal financial transfer mechanisms that can, in extremis, eliminate entirely all incentives for sound local management. Rather, the driver for good housekeeping is direct democracy. 30.01.2014, Lukas Rühli
Which Future for Switzerland’s Militia System? Between republican ideals and liberal lifestyles 10.04.2013, Andreas Müller
Switzerland’s Riches Go Beyond Money Switzerland is a rich country. At some USD 50,000, it has the third highest per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in the world (based on 2012 prices). Its average wealth stands at USD 375,000 – which is more than that of any other country and is around 100 times higher… 28.03.2013, Gerhard Schwarz
