Switzerland’s love of referendums keeps the far right at bay
Brexit gave direct democracy a bad name. But the Swiss approach could be what Europe needs now
TL;DR
- Far-right policies in Switzerland have consistently failed to pass referendums, including proposals to defund public media, cut corporate taxes, and tighten immigration laws.
- Direct democracy in Switzerland challenges the far-right's reliance on imagined majorities amplified by social media and the press.
- Direct democracy disperses power, unlike the centralizing tendencies of authoritarians like Trump and Meloni.
- Philosopher Hannah Arendt identified citizen participation as crucial for maintaining the link between people and power, citing historical examples like town hall meetings and soviet councils.
- Despite risks highlighted by Brexit, Swiss referendums allow for continuous decision-making and adaptation, unlike a single, final vote.
- The author suggests that greater European integration through direct democracy could empower citizens, foster a shared identity, and revive the republican promise of self-government.
- Transferring power from nation-states to citizens on a European level could counter the influence of global powers and major corporations.