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Direct Democracy TODAY
by Simon Gregory

Is it a good idea to have a constitution?
What is a constitution A constitution is a fundamental set of principles or established precedents according to which a state or other...
5thavenueartist
Jun 3, 20243 min read
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Albert & Charlotte visit Pierre in Switzerland and talk about Switzerland's direct democracy. How does it work? Find out in this short conversation.
As we strolled through the picturesque streets of Geneva, Pierre led the way, proudly showing off his homeland. "Pierre, I've read a bit...
5thavenueartist
Jun 3, 20243 min read
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"The Great Swiss Gardening Adventure: Cultivating Direct Democracy and Chasing Away Political Pests!"
Once upon a time in a quaint little village nestled in the valleys of Switzerland, there lived a group of very enthusiastic gardeners....
5thavenueartist
Jun 3, 20242 min read
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Does Switzerland's Direct Democracy Drive Infrastructure Excellence?
Switzerland’s efficient transportation system is often hailed as a model for other nations to emulate. But what sets Switzerland apart,...
5thavenueartist
May 14, 20243 min read
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What on earth is a "Collective Head of State?"
Let's talk about the Swiss Federal Council. The Federal Council is the federal cabinet of the Swiss Confederation in a country that is...
5thavenueartist
May 10, 20243 min read
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The Intersection of Direct Democracy and Swiss Civil Service: A Model of Local Autonomy to prevent ideological and political capture of the civil service.
Switzerland enjoys political stability and efficient governance. It also boasts a civil service system deeply rooted in principles of...
5thavenueartist
May 10, 20244 min read
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Feeling Uncomfortable - Time to Fly
When I was once in a very uncomfortable position, someone relayed the story of the parent eagle and her chicks. Here’s the same story,...
5thavenueartist
May 10, 20243 min read
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I like clear and precise definitions - the simpler the explanation the better. So, let's clarify Direct Democracy and how it differs from Representative Democracy with an illustrative example:
Representative Democracy Imagine a small town called Greenfield. In Greenfield, decisions about local policies, such as park renovations...
5thavenueartist
May 10, 20241 min read
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Postal Ballots in Switzerland - How it works #DirectDemocracy
From SwissInfo - link at the end of the article Switzerland, where citizens vote four times a year, has a longstanding tradition of...
5thavenueartist
May 7, 20246 min read
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Pothole-ology
Something needs fixing! Definition: "Picture a town where the streets are riddled with potholes, each one a small but persistent nuisance...
5thavenueartist
May 7, 20241 min read
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Is a Multi-Party System the Key to Strengthening Democracy? Policies over Parties.
Switzerland’s Federal Council is comprised of seven ministers representing distinct & separate political parties. This unique set up...
5thavenueartist
May 7, 20242 min read
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The Swiss Model of Decentralized Power: Understanding Bottom-Up Governance
This is an invite for you to shift your perspective on governance and its dynamics. Reflect on the Swiss model of Direct Democracy, where...
5thavenueartist
May 7, 20244 min read
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Switzerland's Low Crime Rate and its Unique Approach to Crime Prevention:
A Model of Direct Democracy and Decentralized Policing (Chart below compares Switzerland and the UK - source given) Switzerland's...
5thavenueartist
May 3, 20243 min read
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"How Can We keep our Power Intact" A Poem - by Simon Gregory
In the land of politics, a tale is spun, Of Direct Democracy, oh what fun! But politicians in their suits so neat, Find it quite a...
5thavenueartist
May 3, 20241 min read
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Switzerland's impressive GDP per capita – is it linked to its system of Direct Democracy?
What is GDP per capita? Imagine you have a big pie  that represents all the money made in a country. Now, imagine you cut that pie into...
5thavenueartist
May 3, 20245 min read
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Comparison between countries - number of referendums held in each country's history
From Epic Maps - The number of referendums held in each country’s history Check out Switzerland  #DirectDemocracy Is DD why it ranks as...
5thavenueartist
May 3, 20241 min read
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The Swiss Healthcare System - a short video
Some great points and some that might appear negative. But in the end people see it as being "part of the greater good" How Switzerland...
5thavenueartist
Apr 30, 20241 min read
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Localism - A podcast on how it works in Switzerland from the New Zealand Initiative
In this episode, Oliver Hartwich has a conversation with a special guest the Swiss ambassador to New Zealand. They have a wide-ranging...
5thavenueartist
Apr 30, 20241 min read
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Looking to adopt Referendums as Part of your Political System
Where Does Change Begin: The Imperative of Government Transparency and Accountability What would be an important Referendum to kick off...
5thavenueartist
Apr 30, 20243 min read
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What methods does Switzerland employ to retain local currency circulation, and is there any correlation with Direct Democracy in this approach?
In Switzerland people buy locally. However, take note, "the choice in supermarkets is far less than in other countries"Â and most of it is...
5thavenueartist
Apr 30, 20243 min read
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