Question how does Switzerland deal with the downsides of referenda? (The masses are not always right..) Sometimes a few experts on the subject are right, and the people the masses with no knowledge are wrong. How does Switzerland deal with this? "Expert" vs "Masses" problem.
@@HermanWillems Oh, the same way other countries do when the elected politicians don't vote for what it's best. We try to educate and inform the population: In our vocational schools 4 lessons a week "General knowledge" are mandatory for everyone. Then we have public media that has to inform objectively, and they mostly do so. But yes, of course it's always emotional. But there are few examples that are problematic. You can read the Wikipedia article "2014 Swiss immigration law". Mostly it's just should we buy more fighter jets, should we have a UBI, should we include homeopathy in the basic health insurance plan, should we have higher taxes on certain things, should we ban adds for tobacco and alcohol, should we have 6 weeks of paid vacation.... So it's like in other countries. We do not always get what it's best.
Here's the response from William (sorry for delay): -Fortunately these situations (when masses that aren't right overturn the vote) don't happen very often, and even if they do, the consequences are usually not that terrible. However, sometimes people really get it very wrong, like in the case with migration restriction or banning the build of new minarets. In that case the government has to accept the decision of the public and figure out how to implement the laws (and how to do it in the least damaging way for the country). William says that he thinks of Switzerland as the country of compromise (which sometimes it isn't but most of the time is). To add from myself - the government does put a lot of effort into educating people on the referendum topics (that red booklet, which is quite extensive, is just one of the examples), so that they vote with the knowledge of both sides of the issue, and all the facts. Hope this give you some more insight into this topic. :)
Hi, i think also vaud was send you the bill if you didn't vote, but was 10 francs i heard once🤣🤣 by the way we were in holidays on the other side of rostigraben🤣🤣 it's a joke coming from the beren graben in Bern🤣🤣 i can tell you that we had the feeling that people from the French part doesn't know most of the towns on German part of Switzerland....and as experience in Ballemberg museum the lady selling bratwurst at the kiosk she was very rude to 4 Portuguese people speaking French she said I don't speak French in rude as possible pointing at the board of menu😖 i was appalled then, as i worked for red cross and my wife she was volunteering in the ambulance we help them 🙈🤷♂️👋
Interesting, I've not read about it anywhere, maybe it used to be be mandatory in Vaud too.😄 Haha, I think the one in Schaffhausen is only 6CHF.🤣 I also hear that people don't tend to holiday on the other side of rostigraben, they tend to just stay on their side of the country - would you say that's true? Also I wonder how does Ticino feel in this whole situation🤣
I live in Suisse Romande. I moved here, from California, in 2003. I was also an immigrant, from the Netherlands a,d arrived in California in 1960. I spent time in the US Army. I grew up with Dutch, German, English, and Spanish. As a permis-C holder I have limited voting rights. Via my German knowledge, and the fact that my wife is Swiss, I can get my Swiss passport almost any time. Yes, Switzerland is more democratic than California. No, I will never go back. - retired in Switzerland
Thanks for sharing you life experience and glad that you are enjoying Switzerland!😊 Do you think you will want to get that Swiss passport at some point or are you happy with your original one?
If you could propose any referendum/initiative in Switzerland, what would it be?😁🇨🇭
Great introduction to swiss referendum ! Interesting and relevant questions to speak about such a wide topic 📨
Thanks 😊
From Switzerland: I have been voting 4 times a year for the last 30 years. I missed only 2 votations. Thank you for the great explanation.
That's impressive!👍
Question how does Switzerland deal with the downsides of referenda? (The masses are not always right..) Sometimes a few experts on the subject are right, and the people the masses with no knowledge are wrong. How does Switzerland deal with this? "Expert" vs "Masses" problem.
@@HermanWillems That's a great question!👍 I've asked William and will let you know what he says.
@@HermanWillems Oh, the same way other countries do when the elected politicians don't vote for what it's best.
We try to educate and inform the population: In our vocational schools 4 lessons a week "General knowledge" are mandatory for everyone. Then we have public media that has to inform objectively, and they mostly do so.
But yes, of course it's always emotional. But there are few examples that are problematic. You can read the Wikipedia article "2014 Swiss immigration law".
Mostly it's just should we buy more fighter jets, should we have a UBI, should we include homeopathy in the basic health insurance plan, should we have higher taxes on certain things, should we ban adds for tobacco and alcohol, should we have 6 weeks of paid vacation.... So it's like in other countries. We do not always get what it's best.
Here's the response from William (sorry for delay):
-Fortunately these situations (when masses that aren't right overturn the vote) don't happen very often, and even if they do, the consequences are usually not that terrible. However, sometimes people really get it very wrong, like in the case with migration restriction or banning the build of new minarets. In that case the government has to accept the decision of the public and figure out how to implement the laws (and how to do it in the least damaging way for the country).
William says that he thinks of Switzerland as the country of compromise (which sometimes it isn't but most of the time is).
To add from myself - the government does put a lot of effort into educating people on the referendum topics (that red booklet, which is quite extensive, is just one of the examples), so that they vote with the knowledge of both sides of the issue, and all the facts.
Hope this give you some more insight into this topic. :)
Great video, I'm moving from England to Switzerland so this is very useful to know
Glad you enjoyed it and good luck with the move!😉
yes me to... corrupt uk with Boris brick Uk goes no where
Interesting about direct democrasy in the cantons 😀 im gonne check this later. Thanks again for another video. 👍
Let me know what you think 👍
Hi, i think also vaud was send you the bill if you didn't vote, but was 10 francs i heard once🤣🤣 by the way we were in holidays on the other side of rostigraben🤣🤣 it's a joke coming from the beren graben in Bern🤣🤣 i can tell you that we had the feeling that people from the French part doesn't know most of the towns on German part of Switzerland....and as experience in Ballemberg museum the lady selling bratwurst at the kiosk she was very rude to 4 Portuguese people speaking French she said I don't speak French in rude as possible pointing at the board of menu😖 i was appalled then, as i worked for red cross and my wife she was volunteering in the ambulance we help them 🙈🤷♂️👋
Interesting, I've not read about it anywhere, maybe it used to be be mandatory in Vaud too.😄 Haha, I think the one in Schaffhausen is only 6CHF.🤣
I also hear that people don't tend to holiday on the other side of rostigraben, they tend to just stay on their side of the country - would you say that's true?
Also I wonder how does Ticino feel in this whole situation🤣
I live in Suisse Romande. I moved here, from California, in 2003. I was also an immigrant, from the Netherlands a,d arrived in California in 1960. I spent time in the US Army. I grew up with Dutch, German, English, and Spanish. As a permis-C holder I have limited voting rights. Via my German knowledge, and the fact that my wife is Swiss, I can get my Swiss passport almost any time.
Yes, Switzerland is more democratic than California. No, I will never go back.
- retired in Switzerland
Thanks for sharing you life experience and glad that you are enjoying Switzerland!😊
Do you think you will want to get that Swiss passport at some point or are you happy with your original one?
Are you going to be voting in your local and cantonal referendums since you're allowed to?
I would, however, I'm not yet allowed to, since I don't have permit C. You can only get this permit after living in Switzerland for at last 5 years.🙂