[Mb-civic] democracy varying views

[IHHS at aol.com]

This unique book unintentionally highlights the abject failure of American  
representative democracy to limit and control government growth. In contrast, 
it  details the Swiss model of direct democracy and confederation that 
successfully  has preserved personal liberty and controlled government. It's a system 
that  should be copied in the US and the world.  
Comparing the history of the American Republic and the Swiss Confederation  
clearly shows how fleeting and short-lived representative democracy is.  
Stability is the hallmark of Swiss direct democracy. This tiny nation is  heralded 
by champions of liberty and limited government because of its  dedication to 
armed neutrality and financial, economic and personal freedoms.  Small wonder 
that the Swiss Confederation is hated by tax hungry politicians,  special 
interests and those who would deny others both liberty and wealth.  
Why is Switzerland so different from the rest of the world? How could they  
retain a decentralized, limited central government controlled by the people 
when  most other nations have failed? Is it because the Swiss people love and 
defend  liberty more than others? Is there a secret Swiss "liberty gene" that 
makes them  more aware of attacks on their freedoms at home and abroad? How has 
this small  nation of diverse ethnic groups, including German, French, Italian 
and Romansh,  survived and prospered when neighboring nations have surrendered 
to fascism,  nationalism, communism, or what has come to be called "ethnic 
cleansing"?  
I believe the Swiss centuries-long success is due to two unique political  
institutions. First is the political structure of direct democracy protected by  
the right of national referendum and initiative. The second is their  
decentralized structure of state confederation where most of the powers and  
authority are based at the local and cantonal (provincial) level.  
The authors of Direct Democracy in Switzerland make an excellent  case for 
the Swiss system's merits. I urge you to read the book. The Swiss  success story 
is a model for other nations and political movements around the  world. It 
details the political success of a weak decentralized federal  government held 
in check ultimately by the people, and the individual cantons.  The authors' 
obvious respect for Switzerland transcends the narrow issues of  liberal and 
conservative arguments that consume us in the United States.  
This is a timely reminder that there is a successful, peaceful, prosperous,  
democratic example, a possible solution to the ethnic, religious and political 
 differences that does not require big government at home, or aggressive 
military  intervention abroad.  
This is also an important treatise for the European Union, offering a  
successful model for the EU future. It shows the EU how to avoid the fatal  mistakes 
of the American model; an out-of-control federal government, unneeded  
foreign wars and special interest control of politics. It highlights the Swiss  
concept of Willensnation , a natural political growth by attraction and  voluntary 
association among neighboring principalities, cities, and even  individuals. 
This process has produced a Switzerland that is a nation created by  millions 
of acts of free will. Contrast this with the historic U.S. model of  "manifest 
destiny" -- conquer, acquire and rule. Some would even suggest that  the 
American "War Between the States" was part of this pattern of forced  association. 
 
Finally, the Swiss direct democracy and their near obsessive protection of  
minority interests, views, culture and language offers a realistic example for  
others. This could be the solution to the ethnic problems of post-Saddam 
Iraq,  multi-racial South Africa, even a workable solution for the perpetual  
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a solution that doesn't involve oppression and  
imposed government control. War, religious extremism, terrorism, ethnic conflict  
and the tyranny of majorities could be avoided. Direct Democracy in  
Switzerland is a nation's success story.  
Ronald Holland 
Web site: _http://www.ronaldholland.com/_ (http://www.ronaldholland.com/)   

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