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Internal stability and external neutrality
Founded in 1291, Switzerland is one of Europe’s
oldest nation states. In 1848, the loose confederation of
autonomous cantons became a federal state with a modern
constitution. Switzerland is a nation of consensus, grouping
diversity into unity. The «Confoederatio Helvetica» unites a
number of different cultures and religions, four different
national languages and many ethnic groups.
Switzerland is famed for its stability, especially when it comes
to safety, personal property, politics and social cohesion.
Decisions are made based on consensus and concordance, ensuring
broad popular support for politics. Switzerland has one the
lowest incidences of corruption worldwide. Switzerland’s strong
humanitarian tradition has always been and continues to be
anchored in neutrality, security and stability. For this reason,
many international organizations like the UN and the ICRC have
set up their headquarters in Switzerland.
 Swiss
History
Healthy competition through federalism
Switzerland’s federal structure follows the
principle of subsidiary and is
organized in four levels:
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Federal (the Swiss Confederation) |
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Canton (26 sovereign cantons or states, including
6 split states) |
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District (the 14 larger cantons are divided into
approx. 120 districts) |
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Municipality (approx.
3000 municipalities) |
The municipalities and cantons enjoy considerable
autonomy, which leads to healthy competition between them.
The type of direct democracy practiced in Switzerland allows its
citizens to have their say in ongoing policy. In few other
sovereign states do citizens have such far-reaching rights of
co-determination. Numerous political and social rules and
traditions safeguard Switzerland’s proverbial stability.
The Swiss government consists of the seven members of the
Federal Council who are elected by the United Federal Assembly
(two chambers, the National Council representing the people, and
the Council of States, representing the cantons) for a four-year
term. The government members take it in turns to act as
president.
The governing party and opposition are not strictly separated
but strive to consider as many groups as possible when solving
political, economic and social problems, in order to arrive at a
widely acceptable compromise (politics of concordance). Another
special feature that contributes considerably to Switzerland’s
stability is the principle of collegiality embraced by the state
government.
Swiss
Politics
Unbureaucratic and efficient public
authorities
Swiss Public authorities are unbureaucratic and
efficient and provide fast and competent service to potential
investors. Flexible regulations guarantee fast and easy
realizations of entrepreneurial ideas and offer the best
possible conditions
for long-term business success and growth.
The
Federal Authorities of the Swiss Confederation
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