National elections in Switzerland: An introduction

Abstract

"It is difficult to compare popular participation in Swiss elections with that of any other democratic country in Europe. The smallness of the country, the rugged nature of the land, the diversity of languages, the strengths of the traditions of local self-government, the variety of political institutions, and the multiplicity of elections make Switzerland a unique place for political experiments" (Gosnell 1930: 426). © (2006) Swiss Political Science Review.