| Summary: | This text discusses some aspects of Swiss federalism. Therefore we firstly give some basic general information about framework of federalism. At the introductory chapter we explain briefly what federalism actually is, and how it differs from other political forms. We come with a statement that federalism is a process, more than a structure - a constant attempt to achieve the balance between the elements of autonomy and participation within a system of usually territorially based member states. Second chapter is dedicated to historical background and circumstances that led to adoption of federal idea in Switzerland. Federalism had been pt into practice because of high level of diversity (language, religious communities) on the territory which disabled to use a system that would apply the same rules for everybody. Federal arrangement was the only acceptable form with the aim to serve as a conflict management tool (the Protestant cantons wanted a more centralized state, the Catholics wanted to preserve the sovereignty of the cantons). All these circumstances led to a formation of a federal state, whose goal was, to balance the cantonal sovereignty and central harmonisation. The cantons agreed to be bound together, as far as the state does not touch their basic autonomy. The institutionalization of cultural...
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