Twenty-six cantons, twenty-six ways of experiencing Switzerland
Political power in Switzerland is organized around a federal system of twenty-six cantons, subdivided into communes. The Federal Constitution confers sovereignty on the people. Since the birth of this system in 1848, political organization has been based on two pillars which, at first glance, seem contradictory: a liberal political system, favoring both individual and economic freedoms, and a system of solidarity to integrate all citizens, from all political and social backgrounds, into the community. These two principles form the backbone of Switzerland, and are an undeniable factor in its stability and internal cohesion. Each canton organizes its own social life, with different laws. This autonomy leads to disparities between cantons. For example, taxation varies, and it is more attractive to pay taxes in the canton of Vaud than in Graubünden. Sitting on lawns is permitted in Geneva, but not in Ticino. School vacations vary from canton to canton, as do shopping hours. What unites the Swiss is a sense of trust in Swiss institutions.
A unique neutrality in the world
Often criticized, political neutrality is part of the fabric of Switzerland. Situated between great powers, it has long feared losing its independence. The only time Switzerland attempted a military alliance, with the Milanese at the battle of Marignan in 1515 against the troops of François I, was a failure. Switzerland then signed a perpetual peace treaty with France, giving rise to the status of neutrality, which was recognized under international law in 1815 with the Treaty of Vienna. This status is still supported by 90% of the Swiss population, and has prompted many international organizations to establish their headquarters in Switzerland. In recent years, however, the country seems to have opened up more; although it refuses to join the European Union, it works closely with it. It became a member of the UN in 2002.
Feeling of great security
Switzerland has long been synonymous with safety. Although populist parties are increasingly raising the spectre of insecurity, the crime rate remains very low and is of little concern to the Swiss population. Numerous nationalities live together in Switzerland, with a record 192 in Geneva, home to the headquarters of the United Nations. Big cities are naturally more prone to crime, but the Swiss system is very persuasive. Penalties for offences encourage compliance with the law. For example, exceeding the speed limit in built-up areas by between 21 and 24 km/h can cost you 600 Swiss francs and your license revoked. The same applies to parking: remember to observe the parking regulations for each zone and the time allowed. Once you've learned the secrets of Swiss savoir-vivre and adopted a respect for the rules, life is very peaceful. This sense of security is also reflected in national defense. Switzerland has a militia army, i.e. a mobilization army with very few professional soldiers. The Swiss militia is the legacy of the 1874 Constitution's ban on maintaining a permanent federal army.
An idyllic but expensive setting
Not all Swiss are rolling in gold! If you believe the clichés of luxury cars, watches from the finest watchmakers and the concentration of banks, Switzerland may seem like a luxury destination where the standard of living is more than enviable. However, many of our citizens cannot afford to own their own home, and are saddled with more than a generation's worth of debt. The medical system is expensive, and it's best to save for retirement (AVS - old-age and survivors' insurance). In fact, the retirement age is steadily falling: 65 for men and 64 for women. In 2028, both men and women will retire at 65. Poverty also exists in the land of the banking Eldorado: in 2021, 8.7% of the population (around 745,000 people) lived in income poverty. That said, the country remains one of the best in terms of hospitality and quality of life.
A cultural and social melting pot
Switzerland has always been, and remains, a land of welcome; the quality of life it offers seems to favor fine thinking and outstanding artistic or political endeavors. Without going into chronological order, here is a selection of personalities who bear witness to Switzerland's cultural, historical and artistic diversity: Charlie Chaplin near Vevey, Erasmus in Basel, Jean Calvin making Geneva the center of the Reformation, Hermann Hesse settling in Montagnola near Lake Lugano in Ticino, Paul Klee in Bern. But also Georges Simenon, Elias Canetti, Mme de Staël, Blaise Cendrars, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Albert Cohen, James Joyce, Thomas Mann, Vladimir Nabokov, Hortense de Beauharnais and the future Napoleon III, Albert Einstein, who lived in Berne from 1902 to 1909 when he wrote his famous equations on relativity, and Vladimir Ilitch Ulyanov (Lenin): Switzerland has a surprising cultural substratum!
In addition to this cultural melting pot, it is estimated that between 6,000 and 30,000 children live in rainbow families in Switzerland. LGBT people have enjoyed the same rights as the rest of the population since 2021, thanks to the referendum vote in favor of opening up civil marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples. Medically assisted procreation has also been authorized for lesbian couples.
