POLITICS

Politics



Politics

Part 1: Switzerland

What are the merits of studying politics comparatively? Offer three reasons for your answer

In political science acute need for generalizing the system and to identify patterns that cannot be implemented without major developments in methodology and, in particular, in the methodology of comparative analysis is one of the central and most productive ways to produce new knowledge. Comparative political research area is multidimensional, as it has developed under the influence of cross-methodological and thematic plural in a number of branches of social science. The major merit of the comparative method is that because of the comparative method, the study of politics becomes more structured (Kriesi & Trechsel, 2008, pp. 94-178). Through this more conclusions can be drawn with this method which is more precise. This method allows the certain parties a chance for securing the majority of the seats as merely a tiny flow of support can majorly increase the chances for the party to win as it can significantly increase the seats. One of the strongest advantages of single member plurality system is that it produces clear-cut electoral decisions with single-party governments able to exercise leadership. 

What is the nature of democracy in Switzerland?

Switzerland offers its citizens the opportunity to participate directly in political decision making. Although direct democracy is far from unique in Switzerland, it is probably more developed in this country than anywhere else in the world. Swiss citizens can propose laws or reject a law already passed by Parliament. Any Swiss citizen has the right to propose a new bill launching an initiative, although these usually arise from pressure groups rather than individuals. If the citizens can collect at least 100,000 signatures in support of a particular proposal, it will be voted national. The referendum is a popular vote called to oppose a bill already approved by Parliament (Sell & Gugel, 2009, pp. 45-78). This can be done if a person or a group opposed to the new law gets at least 50,000 signatures within 100 days after the publication of the law. This national consultation is mandatory when dealing with a law that involves an amendment to the Constitution or when the government proposes the accession of Switzerland to certain international agreements. Exercise of political rights is fundamentally involves Swiss citizenship. In addition, they should be respected, and other conditions must also be followed such as restrictions on age and place of residence in the right to vote, to elect and to be elected (Lloyd, 2001, pp. 67-89). The political rights include active and passive right to vote, and the right to participate in the initiative and referendum.

What is the role of deliberative democracy in Switzerland?

Deliberative democracy is a term used to refer to a political model that aims to balance the representative democracy with a decision-making process governed by the principles of fairness and rationality. Stark contrast to the dominant conceptions of democracy and, in particular, with the theory of rational choice from the economy, which emphasizes the act of voting ...