Direct Democracy in Switzerland

[Whiteronin]

Currently, Switzerland's political system is most close to what I call direct democracy (although, in reality, it still isn't a true direct democracy - I can explain this point later). A referendum is held in the country every three months. Below, I will share what I know about Switzerland. I have 12 points, but for now, I will present five:


1) In a "lost wallet" experiment, the Swiss proved to be the most honest people among those studied: they returned the wallet (without the cash, but with the key) in 73 percent of cases. The Chinese were found to be the least honest, returning the wallet only in 7 percent of cases;

2) According to WHO data, Switzerland has a suicide rate of 9.8 per 100,000 people (2019). For comparison, WHO figures show rates of 14.5 for the USA, 21.6 for Russia, and 21.2 for South Korea. It is also worth noting that euthanasia is legal in Switzerland, which implies that suicide is less stigmatized there than in other countries;

3) According to UN data, the obesity rate in Switzerland is 19.5% (for comparison: 36.2% in the USA, 23.1% in Russia, and 32% in Egypt (2019));

4) According to 2021y data I found online, Switzerland has the smallest shadow economy among 31 European countries (it stands at 5.8% of GDP, compared to 13% in France, 16% in Belgium, 22% in Poland, and 32% in Turkey).

5) Switzerland ranks first in the world for life expectancy for men (81 years) and sixth for women (85 years).

[BADecker]

Yes, but. What is really neat is all the wingsuit jumping from the cliffs above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. If you live, you get to vote. 

[eternalgloom]

In a "lost wallet" experiment, the Swiss proved to be the most honest people among those studied: they returned the wallet (without the cash, but with the key) in 73 percent of cases. The Chinese were found to be the least honest, returning the wallet only in 7 percent of cases;

Such integrity and civic trust do not stem merely from democracy. it is result of their high income, strong social security and cultural trust.

According to WHO data, Switzerland has a suicide rate of 9.8 per 100,000 people (2019). For comparison, WHO figures show rates of 14.5 for the USA, 21.6 for Russia, and 21.2 for South Korea. It is also worth noting that euthanasia is legal in Switzerland, which implies that suicide is less stigmatized there than in other countries;

imo, these are result of their world class healthcare system, preventive care policy and active lifestyle.

According to 2021y data I found online, Switzerland has the smallest shadow economy among 31 European countries (it stands at 5.8% of GDP, compared to 13% in France, 16% in Belgium, 22% in Poland, and 32% in Turkey).

Primary reason for lower shadow economy in Switzerland compared to Belgium are tax burden, labor market regulation, institutional enforcement etc, its not the voting system




Anyway, you will understand if you just look at the neighboring European countries. Although direct democracy is unique system but economic policy, taxation and regulation play the most significant role in everyday indicator such as public health or integrity.

Switzerland has significant Gini coefficient between ultra wealthy and ordinary people. Belgium is one of the most egalitarian countries in Europe. Our robust social security and welfare system ensure greater protection for ordinary citizen than that Switzerland.

Belgium is one of the few countries in world where wages automatically rise in line with inflation. While corporation and capitalists enjoy significant advantages in Switzerland, rights and job security of ordinary working people are much stronger in Belgium.

Switzerland's healthcare system is excellent yeah but cost of private insurance place significant burden on ordinary people.
Belgium's social healthcare model is far more affordable and universal.

So direct democracy is merely one specific model. The extent to which country's people are secure and enjoy equal opportunity depend on that country's social welfare policy and labor right.

[caroasi]

Direct democracy is vital to getting society functional, but much more important is intelligent decision-making is also needed. The Swiss had a gold-as-money referendum and voted strongly against it in 2014. The direct democracy referendum vote was to accumulate about 87 million oz of gold at that time valued at about $1,100/oz which is now valued at $4,300/oz. The elites definitely would have voted no too... it was their idea to vote no in the first place, and the population trusted them.

Alleged Vote Recommendations gleaned from an AI:
Employees Switzerland   Yes
economiesuisse   No
GastroSuisse   No
hotelleriesuisse   No
Swiss Working Community for Mountain Regions (SAB)   No
Swiss Bakers and Confectioners’ Association (SBC)   No
Swiss Contractors’ Association (SBV)   No
Swiss Trade Association (sgv)   No
Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB)   Yes
Travail.Suisse   Yes
TREUHAND|SUISSE   No
Unia   Yes
Association of Swiss Public-Service Employees (vpod)   Yes

Every major political party suggested a no vote, so the general population was much smarter than the elites, but not smart enough. It seems that so far the Swiss have lost $366 billion in gains. There are about 9.1 million people in Switzerland, so $40,000 USD per man, woman, and child of value is now a gone opportunity cost. I don't have time to confirm these AI estimates though.

“It [the gold accumulation referendum] calls for the SNB to hold at least 20 percent of its assets in gold.”
Swiss Federal Council / Fedlex
Federal Council dispatch on the popular initiative “Save Our Swiss Gold.” November 20, 2013.
https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/fga/2013/1849/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-fga-2013-1849-de-pdf-a.pdf

[Whiteronin]

Such integrity and civic trust do not stem merely from democracy. it is result of their high income, strong social security and cultural trust.

No, I am sure that the primary reason is exactly democracy.
I am a nerd and I have read a rather big amout of books on history, psychology, and other sciences, and I can say that I have understood the fundamental reason of any injustice: the more authoritarian a country is, the more the government interferes into the lives of intelligent, educated, and sober people, because such people too often become interested in politics and criticize the power and ruling elites. This happens during last 10 thousands of years, since the humanity started settling in large settlements, and the political system became authoritarian. That's why the brain of modern people is 20% smaller than the brain of ancient hunters-gatherers. This is also called "idiocracy".