Submitted by Evan Ravitz on October 12, 2008 - 4:23pm.
The level of cooperation between Parliament and various initiative sponsors in Switzerland shows how "co-determination" since 1891 (Federally) has matured, unlike in the U.S., where the balance of power is more between 800-pound gorillas who choose to buy Congress or legislatures and those that buy their way onto the ballot.
It sounds like citizens there are more interested in fairness than in winning at any cost, which is what American politics has come to. Remember Abramoff & Delay et al's plan for a "permanent Republican majority"? The only thing worse than the 2-party system is a 1 party system.
This shows the best part of co-determination. People become responsible and fair when given responsibility. It will take awhile in the U.S., where the Fed is at war with the people and planet.
Great series, Joe! Sounds like you're coming around to the light side! Switzerland seems to have solved most of California's initiative problems. Sounds like our homeboy Tim Lange made good at the Times.
Cheers,
Evan Ravitz, Founder http://Vote.org
Another example of how time matures hybrid democracy
The level of cooperation between Parliament and various initiative sponsors in Switzerland shows how "co-determination" since 1891 (Federally) has matured, unlike in the U.S., where the balance of power is more between 800-pound gorillas who choose to buy Congress or legislatures and those that buy their way onto the ballot.
It sounds like citizens there are more interested in fairness than in winning at any cost, which is what American politics has come to. Remember Abramoff & Delay et al's plan for a "permanent Republican majority"? The only thing worse than the 2-party system is a 1 party system.
This shows the best part of co-determination. People become responsible and fair when given responsibility. It will take awhile in the U.S., where the Fed is at war with the people and planet.
Great series, Joe! Sounds like you're coming around to the light side! Switzerland seems to have solved most of California's initiative problems. Sounds like our homeboy Tim Lange made good at the Times.
Cheers,
Evan Ravitz, Founder
http://Vote.org
evan at vote dot org