A Study in the Swiss Political Regime

Abstract

The research hypothesizes that the success of Switzerland in selecting the councilor political system enabled it in keeping its stability and continuity for a long time. This was achieved despite the existence of several nationalities in Switzerland, representing some European states such as Germany, France, and Italy.The research has come to the following conclusions:The Swiss regime, although originally based on the principles of the councilor system, yet it does not have all its attributes. For example, the federal assembly cannot depose the members of the federal council before the end of their term at office, i.e. before four years to pass. The Swiss regime, even if it contains some of the councilor system features (or assembly government system), yet it is characterized by a special nature which differs from other regimes. Some scholars consider it a system that gives the executive federal council a dictator authority over the federal legislative parliamentary body.Most of the researchers and professors of the constitutional law stress the success of this regime in Switzerland. They relate this success to the moderate nature of the Swiss people, and the absence of severe conflicts among political parties who are sharing the seats of the parliament. They also confirm that this councilor system caused the stability of political conditions in Switzerland. Other reasons for the success of this regime is not having political crises, such as those witnessed by the states adopting the parliamentary system, particularly in the case of party pluralism and the absence of a main or a dominant party; besides the high political consciousness of Swiss citizens and the stability of the social, economic, etc. conditions.