Quantcast
Switzerland's Decromacy - Beyond.ca - Car Forums
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Switzerland's Decromacy

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Unknown
    Posts
    1,157
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Switzerland's Decromacy

    Here's a crazy idea: A true democratic system in which the taxpayers actually have a say.


    All federal laws are subject to a three to four step process:

    1) A first draft is prepared by experts in the federal administration.

    2) This draft is presented to a large number of people in a formalized kind of opinion poll:
    http://direct-democracy.geschichte-schweiz.ch/

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Back to YYC
    My Ride
    2008 Impreza WRX
    Posts
    139
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    You forgot:

    3) The result is presented to dedicated parliamentary commissions of both chambers of the federal parliament, discussed in detail behind closed doors and finally debated in public sessions of both chambers of parliament. Members of parliament do take into account the results of step 2, because if the fail to do so, step 4 will be inevitable.
    Similar to what we do...

    4) The electorate has a veto-right on laws: If anybody is able to find 50,000 citizens signing a form demanding for a referendum within 3 months, a referendum must be held. Laws do only need to find a majority of the national electorate to pass a referendum, not a majority of cantons. Referendums on more than a dozen laws per year are not unusual in Switzerland.
    Although we don't have this parties still pay attention to public outcry as they are motivated to stay in power, see UBB.


    Sounds good on the surface, but Switzerland is a lot smaller than Canada by a factor of 200 times (wouldn't necessarily claim it's more homogeneous), in Canada how would we decide on a sample? by population? AB, SK, MB and others would be under-represented compared to ON, QB, BC then. Canada's size leads to significantly divergent needs/wants in its population.
    Last edited by ZedMan; 04-27-2011 at 02:02 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Calgary
    My Ride
    Sausage Wagon
    Posts
    509
    Rep Power
    17

    Default

    It's a good model for sure. I feel that all laws should be put to vote. Pain in the ass? Well, democracy should be. If there's overwhelming support in one region compared to another, then it should become the jurisdiction of the province.

    Originally posted by teamPRO


    howbout suck my black kettle...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    27
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    A smart guy would build a site to handle plebiscites on a national and provincial level. I would love to vote on more than a representative.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    426
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    The reason why the system works well in Switzerland is because it involves the voter to a greater degree. In a country that can be described as "unnaturally systematic", it comes as no surprise that it works for them. I have relatives there, and they seem to proudly pay their taxes and extract as much pleasure from bureaucracy as it will allow.

    Now, If you implement such a system around a "diverse" population demographic like Canada, all that effort would go to waste.

    It seems there needs to be an incentive to get Canadians more involved (even to simply check a damn box). My bright idea would be resurrect the long form census and combine it with your yearly tax return. What better way to get people riled up about government policy than to withhold their tax return!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    403/514
    Posts
    59
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Originally posted by ZedMan


    ON, QB, BC then. Canada's size leads to significantly divergent needs/wants in its population.


    People forget, just Toronto and Montreal is 51%.

    In A true Democracy 51% control 49%. Unfortunately we are the 49%.
    Last edited by calgary403; 04-27-2011 at 09:37 PM.
    BOOOOOya!!!


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Pallet Town
    Posts
    809
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    "Duuuude, why does it always have to be majority rule.

    Its like - one guy wants the wall to be white, one guy wants the wall to be black. Everyone else wants the wall to be a different shade of grey.

    So why can't we just mix the paint and have everyone sit where they like the color the most?

    But you just said everything is a shade of grey? What do colors have to do with it?

    Ohhh sorry man, acid trip."
    0.5 gram microsd delivered by 12,000 pound combustion vehicle and driver.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Calgary Alberta
    My Ride
    anything that comes along
    Posts
    173
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Switzerland has a really cool democracy, but as others said it wouldn't work in Canada, if people needed any more reason to feel other parts of the nation were calling the shots on others this place would break apart.

    The Swiss military system is interesting too.


    The Swiss Armed Forces perform the roles of Switzerland's militia and regular army. Under the country's militia system, professional soldiers constitute about 5 percent of military personnel; the rest are conscript citizens 18 to 34 (in some cases up to 50) years old. Because of a long history of neutrality, the army does not take part in armed conflicts in other countries, but is part of several peacekeeping missions around the world.

    The structure of the Swiss militia system stipulates that the soldiers keep their own personal equipment, including all personal weapons, at home. Compulsory military service concerns all male Swiss citizens, with women serving voluntarily. They usually receive initial training orders at the age of 18 for military conscription. About two-thirds of young Swiss men are found suitable for service, while alternative service exists for those found unsuitable.Annually, approximately 20,000 persons are trained in basic training for a duration from 18 to 21 weeks (increased from 15 weeks, in 2003).

    Since 1989, there have been several attempts to curb military activity or even abolish the armed forces altogether (see Group for a Switzerland without an Army). A notable referendum on the subject was held on 26 November 1989 and, although defeated, did see a significant percentage of the voters in favour of such an initiative. However, a similar referendum, called for before, but held shortly after the 9/11 attacks, was defeated by over 77% of voters.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Switzerland




    Swiss militia man just shopping before work.
    Last edited by derpderp; 04-28-2011 at 08:11 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    the upside-down
    My Ride
    Edge Sport, F-150 EcoBoost
    Posts
    1,011
    Rep Power
    18

    Default

    Their democratic process also works because of the small and concentrated population. They do not have to deal with 35 million people stretched across one of the largest countries in the world, across multiple time zones, speaking different languages....etc. Logistically it is far more feasible for them to demand plebecites on far more topics, it's also far cheaper per capita. Any party that starts doing plebecites on a frequent basis in Canada will be lambasted by the opposition for how much money they are spending.
    freshprince
    -Jan 2006-

Similar Threads

  1. Lusanne Switzerland? Anyone Been?

    By dannie in forum Travel and Vacation
    Replies: 7
    Latest Threads: 05-15-2009, 08:57 PM
  2. EVO VI RS with 600 hp/710 torque in Switzerland La Roche 2006

    By DUNDEM in forum Cars, Bikes, Machines
    Replies: 3
    Latest Threads: 01-26-2007, 01:42 PM
  3. Georg Plasa with his V8 JUDD BMW Hill Climb in Switzerland

    By DUNDEM in forum Cars, Bikes, Machines
    Replies: 2
    Latest Threads: 09-13-2006, 05:53 PM
  4. FS: Genuine Swiss Army knife (bought in Switzerland)

    By GucciBoy in forum Miscellaneous Buy/Sell/Trade
    Replies: 3
    Latest Threads: 10-03-2005, 01:23 PM
  5. From Switzerland & New in this Forum

    By bismarck61 in forum General
    Replies: 4
    Latest Threads: 04-11-2004, 03:52 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •