Legislative Process Quiz

Federalism Definition

• State power is shared between the federal government, cantons, and communes.
• Federalism allows Switzerland to exist as a unified entity despite its linguistic and regional diversity.
• The Swiss federal system has three levels of governance: Confederation, cantons, and communes.
• Each level (Confederation, cantons, and communes) has legislative and executive powers.

Principle of Subsidiarity Definition

• Powers are allocated to the Confederation, cantons, and communes based on the principle of subsidiarity.
• The Confederation handles tasks that cantons cannot perform or require uniform regulation.
• Nothing that can be done at a lower political level should be done at a higher level.
• If a commune cannot handle a task, the canton is responsible for support.

Separation of Powers Definition

• Switzerland has a horizontal separation of powers between legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• It also has a vertical separation of powers between the Confederation, cantons, and communes.

Political Spectrum Definition

• Liberal: Individual freedom, political and economic freedom.
• Conservative: Holding traditional values.

Left-Wing

• Strong social safety net to reduce social disparities.
• Emphasizes employee interests, price controls, and public services.
• Favors peace and less military spending.

Right-Wing

• Freedom and personal responsibility.
• State intervenes only when necessary.
• Emphasizes employer interests, free enterprise, and economic incentives.
• Favors a strong national defense.

Parties Definition

• SVP (Swiss People's Party): National-conservative, economically liberal; restrictive immigration, Swiss sovereignty, and traditional values.
• SP (Social Democratic Party): Social democratic and progressive; social justice, welfare expansion, climate action, gender equality, and international cooperation.
• FDP (The Liberals): Economically liberal and center-right; free markets, minimal state regulation, private sector strength, and liberal social policies.
• CVP/Mitte (The Centre): Christian-democratic and center-right; family support, balanced foreign policy, welfare state, and liberal economics.
• GPS (Green Party): Left-wing and ecological; climate action, environmental protection, social justice, and sustainable energy.
• GLP (Green Liberal Party): Centrist; merges ecological goals with economic freedom, emphasizing climate protection and a market-based green economy.
• EVP (Evangelical People's Party): Christian-social; ethical issues, family protection, and social justice.

Political Rights Definition

• Popular Initiative: Citizens can propose changes to the constitution.
• Direct Counter-Proposal: Parliament can create a counter-proposal to a popular initiative.
• Indirect Counter-Proposal: Parliament can propose a bill related to a popular initiative.
• Right of Petition: Citizens can submit complaints or proposals to the government.

US Constitution Definition

• The US Constitution establishes three branches of government: legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (Supreme Court).
• Separation of powers prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• Democrats: Minimum wages, higher taxes for higher earners, governmental regulations, social responsibility, lower military spending, legal abortion, support for gay marriage.
• Republicans: Tax rates should not be increased, free market wages, individual rights, increased military spending, illegal abortion, oppose gay marriage.

President Election Definition

• The US uses the Electoral College to elect the President.
• Each state has a number of electors based on its representation in Congress.
• A candidate needs a majority of electoral votes to win.
• Electoral College Winners: Most votes in a state = all that state's electoral votes.

Election Definitions

• Swing State: A state where both parties have similar levels of support.
• Electoral College: System to elect the U.S. President, each state has electoral votes based on population.
• Winner-Takes-All: Candidate with most popular votes in a given state gets all that state's electoral votes (the most used system).
• Proportional Representation: Seats are allocated according to the vote received by the parties.
• Majority System: Candidate who receives over 50% + 1 vote wins.

Parliamentary Definition

• Structure: Large chamber (National Council) and small chamber (Council of States).
• National Council: Represents the people, each member represents a certain number of people.
• Council of States: Represents cantons (states) with two delegates per canton.
• Tasks: Enact legislation, release funding, and oversee administration.

Three Phases Laws Definition

• Initial Phase: Law proposal from people, parliament, cantons, or Federal Council. Federal Administration drafts the initial bill.
• Parliamentary Phase: Committees in both chambers review and amend bills.
• Vote and Entry into Force: Elected law is subject to an optional referendum; if 50,000+ citizens request a vote within 100 days.

Federal Council Definition

• The Federal Council is a seven-member body that forms the Swiss government
• The Federal Council members are elected by the Federal Assembly for four-year terms.

Consensus

• The Federal Council decisions are made as a collated group and aim for a consensus.

Principle of Collegiality

• The Federal Council is expected to defend the collective position even if it differs from their personal opinion or party's view.

Magic Formula

• An electoral formula representing the amount of seats for each party. The largest three parties get two seats each on the Federal Council with the fourth largest party getting one seat.

Concordance

• A method of integrating all parties (regardless of size) in the political system where all parties have a voice in decision-making.

Departments

• The federal government is structured into different departments each headed by a Federal Counselor.

German Constitution Definition

• Displays a detailed layout of the German government with branches, institutions, and their responsibilities

German Government Definition

• The German government is formed after federal elections, often requiring coalition of multiple parties to gain enough votes.
• The Chancellor is elected by the Bundestag and typically from the largest party. Federal ministers are then appointed by the Chancellor.

Lobbying Definition

• Lobbying is influencing a member of parliament through direct contact belonging to a respective interest group.