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A new French political party | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Speaking as a Swiss citizen, (none / 0)
participative democracy is a double-edged sword. Much nonsense has gotten thrown out by popular votes; other issues were voted on several times until accepted. Generally, the whole process is moving at glacial speed (not necessarily a bad thing though, but in some cases it is). The focus on consensus by most politicians (as any issue could be voted on) makes it difficult for an elected majority to do silly stuff.

In two weeks, we vote on two issues. A law which allows shops near big train station and airports to open on sundays (until now a matter of canton legislation, I think). Further, we vote on a 5 year moratorium for the use of GM plants and animals in agriculture.

by srutis on Mon Nov 14th, 2005 at 06:11:40 PM EST
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Re: Speaking as a Swiss citizen, (none / 0)
Indeed it is.

And Switzerland's land/population size does allow for easier management, I suppose. Smaller means => less issues to handle. I don't mean this in a diminutive way, i.e. socially, economically, politically Switzerland must face exactly the same problems we all face, but there are fewer airports for example :)

by Alex in Toulouse on Mon Nov 14th, 2005 at 06:24:47 PM EST
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Re: Speaking as a Swiss citizen, (none / 0)
Are you kidding, I mean about the less issues to handle, because of the smallness of Switzerland. Do you know all the stuff we are voting on! at times it seems never-ending hand difficult to stay "really" informed on all of them.
by Fran on Tue Nov 15th, 2005 at 01:55:37 AM EST
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Re: Speaking as a Swiss citizen, (none / 0)
I believe you!!! (even only 2 issues a week means a lot of homework to read about them, and be objective)

But then the question is, if it's hard to keep in touch with all the issues in Switzerland, it's also got to be hard in France ... so my question is, how do elected officials in France manage to stay informed on every issue that they vote on, if they're busy being politicians all day long, giving interviews, flattering their own egos, shaking hands, and skipping parliament every other day? These guys probably have no idea what they're voting on!!!

by Alex in Toulouse on Tue Nov 15th, 2005 at 03:40:28 AM EST
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A new French political party | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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