{"id":1234499,"date":"2022-10-25T22:05:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-25T22:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/25\/beyond-the-us-midterms-the-swiss-answer-to-congressional-gridlock\/"},"modified":"2022-10-25T22:05:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-25T22:05:57","slug":"beyond-the-us-midterms-the-swiss-answer-to-congressional-gridlock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/10\/25\/beyond-the-us-midterms-the-swiss-answer-to-congressional-gridlock\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the US midterms: The Swiss answer to congressional gridlock"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_106 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_1\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_106\">\n<style><![CDATA[\n\n\/* inline tdc_css att *\/\n\n\/* phone *\/\n@media (max-width: 767px)\n{\n.tdi_106{\nmargin-bottom:20px !important;\n}\n}\n\n]]><\/style>\n<style><![CDATA[\n\/* custom css 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!important;line-height:1 !important;font-style:normal !important;\n\t\t        }.tdi_108 .wp-caption-text,\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_108 figcaption{\n\t\t\t        font-family:Roboto !important;font-size:11px !important;line-height:1.2 !important;font-style:normal !important;\n\t\t        }\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1bdte2-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-w2885d-BylineWrapper e8mq1e916\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1dtr1ls-Container-ContributorDetails e8mq1e913\">\n<p>By Imogen Foulkes  &amp; Anthony Zurcher<\/p>\n<p>BBC News, Geneva and Washington<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">It\u2019s notoriously hard to get new laws passed in the US and few believe the looming election reshaping Congress will solve that. Could the Swiss \u201cpeople power\u201d model help?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The US political system seems designed to create gridlock. The two chambers of Congress are frequently controlled by different parties. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The Senate has longstanding procedures that allow the minority party there to block most major legislation that doesn\u2019t have the support of at least 60 of the 100 senators. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">And anything passed by Congress can be vetoed by a president (overriding that requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">All this means that the political stars have to align for the federal government to get things done \u2013 even overwhelmingly popular laws will wither on the congressional vine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Policies like raising the minimum wage, enacting gun control legislation or immigration reform have substantial support but go nowhere in Washington.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">That has left some Americans frustrated \u2013 by a two-to-one margin they believe the nation is heading in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Wouldn\u2019t it be great if citizens could decide new policy, and the government would carry it out? <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"So-what-happens-in-Switzerland\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">So what happens in Switzerland?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Nearly all major policy is decided at the ballot box. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Voters go to the polls four times a year in nationwide votes. In 2022 they have been asked to decide on 11 different issues, from a complete ban on animal testing (rejected) to raising the retirement age for women (approved). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">There are also regular ballots at regional and even village level to decide on local issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">In the Middle Ages, the Swiss were already doing things a little differently  \u2013 while their neighbours had feudal lords with absolute power, some Swiss regions had \u201clandsgemeinde\u201d in which citizens gathered in the town square to make policy. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The only requirements for being able to vote? Carrying a sword and being male (of which more later).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">This \u201cbottom up\u201d way of governing came to be viewed as essential if Switzerland was to survive and thrive. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-11kpz0x-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Man walks past campaign posters\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/_127334189_gettyimages-1243469244.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">It\u2019s a small country, but very diverse \u2013 four national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romantsch). You have remote farming communities high in the Alps and urban centres in Zurich or Geneva. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Everyone, the thinking goes, needs to feel their voice is heard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"So-how-does-it-work\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">So how does it work?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Let\u2019s say you\u2019d like to give all workers longer vacations. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Draft your proposal, gather 100,000 signatures from fellow citizens, and a nationwide referendum will take place. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">This happened in 2012 when voters rejected a proposal to increase statutory holiday after business leaders warned it would be too expensive.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Or, let\u2019s say you\u2019re not happy with new legislation that parliament has already passed. Here, you only need 50,000 signatures, and the proposed law will go before the people. But this slows things down.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Swiss women only got the right to vote in 1971, shockingly late compared with the rest of Europe and it took not one but two nationwide ballots, which only men could participate in. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-11kpz0x-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Women cast vote in 1971 general election\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/_127332248_gettyimages-1173820597.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Many Swiss women I know grew up with mothers who campaigned for years for the right to vote. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">\u201cOne of the arguments against was that women\u2019s brains were too small,\u201d journalist Gaby Ochsenbein remembered. \u201cSeriously, that\u2019s what they said.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Today, she believes, the power a vote in Switzerland can have encourages participation. \u201cI\u2019ve never missed a vote, and my daughters neither.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"What-other-disadvantages-are-there\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">What other disadvantages are there?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Some Swiss are worried the system is open to abuse. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Since it only takes 100,000 signatures to force a referendum, an awful lot of things are ending up at the ballot box.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Some are fairly harmless, like one man\u2019s campaign for subsidies for farmers who let their cows keep their horns. This was rejected in 2018.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">But others, some analysts argue, are simply vehicles for political parties to keep their agenda in the public eye. The rightwing Swiss People\u2019s Party regularly gathers enough signatures to have votes on immigration related issues. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Voter fatigue is also a risk when there are so many, often complex, decisions to make. In local votes the turnout can be lower than 30%. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1csupmn-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"line\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/_127004522_0e073ac2-2ffd-4579-b69e-553510a6405c.jpg\" width=\"464\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\"><b class=\"ssrcss-hmf8ql-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">More on this series, Seeking A Solution<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"unordered-list-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>As Americans prepare to vote we are visiting countries around the world looking for answers to challenges facing the US political system<\/li>\n<li>We are tackling subjects like an ageing Congress, gridlock in passing laws, a lack of female representation and low turnout<\/li>\n<li>Reporters in Norway, Bolivia, Finland, Australia and Switzerland will explain how these issues are handled where they live<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">NORWAY: The world\u2019s youngest politicians<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">FINLAND: Leading the fight against fake news<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">BOLIVIA: How it nailed gender parity in politics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1csupmn-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"line\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/_127004522_0e073ac2-2ffd-4579-b69e-553510a6405c.jpg\" width=\"464\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-10u71sh-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Presentational white space\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/_97415642_007_in_numbers_624.png\" width=\"624\" height=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"What-do-the-Swiss-think-of-it-all\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">What do the Swiss think of it all?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">But ask a Swiss citizen if they would give up their unusual system and the vast majority will say no. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Some will suggest changes to it such as increasing the number of signatures required, but abandoning the system altogether is unthinkable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">\u201cDirect democracy is there for the population to check the parliament,\u201d says a colleague. \u201cAnd it\u2019s also a way to bring the interests of the general population into the political system.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The system supports neutral Switzerland\u2019s long tradition of consensus. There are no bitter confrontational battles between the big political parties; the role of government is to carry out the wishes of the people, as expressed through the ballot box. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Politicians are not allowed to get too big for their boots here, and that\u2019s just the way the Swiss like it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"Could-it-work-in-the-US\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">Could it work in the US?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Although there is nothing like the Swiss referendum system on the national level in the US, similar processes are fairly common on the state and local level. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">In recent years, states have decriminalised marijuana, raised the minimum wage, enacted electoral reforms and legalised gambling through ballot measures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">In the early 2000s conservatives pushed to ban gay marriage. This year, liberals have begun a move to put abortion protections on state ballots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">California, whose population is more than four times that of Switzerland\u2019s, is the state probably best known for its use of ballot measures. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The system there, however, has proven to be somewhat unwieldy. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Critics say the language of ballot proposals is frequently confusing or misleading. And some enacted policies like mandatory spending on public schools have made it harder to craft workable state budgets. Others have resulted in lengthy legal disputes and enflamed political divisions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-11kpz0x-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arnold Schwarzenegger\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/_127334185_gettyimages-55925727.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">Battles over ballot measures frequently involve multi-million-dollar advertising campaigns that greatly simplify what can be complex policy issues and leave voters even more unsure over what is actually at stake.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">All these concerns could be magnified if referendums were conducted among a national voting population of 257 million Americans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The US system that makes it challenging to enact major legislative policies is difficult by design \u2013 because the crafters of the US Constitution had a distrust for centralised government power. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">There are plenty of Americans who still like it that way. Opposition to \u201cbig-government\u201d policies is a central tenet of American conservatism. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00\">The US is a massive, continental nation and many residents in Republican-controlled states in the US heartland and West don\u2019t want their politics dictated from far-off Washington \u2013 or from the millions of voters in coastal metropolitan cities via a referendum system.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1csupmn-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg\" width=\"464\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 id=\"Read-more-about-US-midterms\" class=\"ssrcss-y2fd7s-StyledHeading e1fj1fc10\"><span role=\"text\">Read more about US midterms<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"unordered-list-block\" class=\"ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>EXPLAINER: What are midterms and who\u2019s being elected?<\/li>\n<li>ANALYSIS: Five reasons why these elections matter<\/li>\n<li>ON-THE-GROUND: The voters who see a coming storm<\/li>\n<li>TRUMP: Tracking his extraordinary endorsement spree<\/li>\n<li>PROFILE: Can football legend Walker outrun his past?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1csupmn-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Presentational grey line\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg\" width=\"464\" height=\"2\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-18mjolk-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-wpgbih-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-10u71sh-Placeholder e16icw910\"><span><\/p>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Presentational white space\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/_97415642_007_in_numbers_624.png\" width=\"624\" height=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"ssrcss-evoj7m-Image ee0ct7c0\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- A generated by theme --> <\/p>\n<p><style><![CDATA[\n\n\/* inline tdc_css att *\/\n\n\/* phone *\/\n@media (max-width: 767px)\n{\n.tdi_109{\nmargin-right:-20px !important;\nmargin-left:-20px !important;\npadding-right:20px !important;\npadding-left:20px !important;\n}\n}\n\n]]><\/style>\n<style><![CDATA[\n\/* custom css *\/\n.tdi_109.td-a-rec{\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_109 .td-element-style{\n\t\t\t\t\tz-index: -1;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\n\/* phone *\/\n@media (max-width: 767px){\n.tdi_109.td-a-rec-img img{\n\t\t\t\t    max-width: 300px;\n\t\t\t\t    width: 100%;\n\t\t\t\t}\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<p><noscript id=\"td-ad-placeholder\"\/><\/p>\n<p> <!-- end A --> <\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_111  vc_row 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!important;\n}\n\n]]><\/style>\n<style><![CDATA[\n\/* custom css *\/\n.tdi_118 .td-post-sharing,\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_118 .tdb-share-classic{\n\t\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\t}\n]]><\/style>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#13; &#13; &#13; By Imogen Foulkes &amp; Anthony Zurcher BBC News, Geneva and Washington It\u2019s notoriously hard to get new laws passed in the US and few believe the looming election reshaping Congress will solve that. Could the Swiss \u201cpeople power\u201d model help? The US political system seems designed to create gridlock. The two chambers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1234501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1234499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1234499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1234499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1234499\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1234499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1234499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2022\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1234499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}