Switzerland - a small country located in the heart of western Europe - has quite a unique democratic tradition and 27 political systems (one federal and 26 cantonal systems). Basic facts and features about Switzerland's political organisation:
Switzerland is a Confederation of 26 cantons [canton = member state of the Swiss Confederation]
Switzerland's basic political philosophy can be described as a far reaching and sophisticated form of federalism granting cantons and communes a maximum of political self-determination and restricting the competences of the federal (national) authorities to the absolute minimum that is indispensable to run a modern, highly (post-)industrialised state.
Governments, administrations, parliaments and courts are organized on 3 political levels:
- federal (national)
- cantonal
- communal
Direct Democracy with frequent Referendums on national, cantonal and communal levels.
Multilinguism
Multiple religious denominations, no "state religion