"Politicians: Pursuing Careers or Fulfilling Civic Duties?" – The Swiss Model In Switzerland, the majority of politicians are not professional politicians in the traditional sense. Unlike some other countries where political careers are full-time endeavours, Switzerland operates under a system of part-time citizen-legislators.
Most Swiss politicians are not "career-track" politicians and therefore hold other occupations alongside their political roles, such as working in business, academia, or various professions. Switzerland's political system emphasizes citizen participation and decentralization, with power distributed among the federal government, cantonal (state) governments, and local municipalities.
The Federal Assembly, Switzerland's federal legislature, is comprised of two chambers: the National Council (the lower house) and the Council of States (the upper house). Members of the National Council are elected directly by the Swiss electorate, while members of the Council of States are elected by their respective cantonal legislatures. Elections in Switzerland are held regularly, and serving in political office is often seen as a civic duty rather than a career path.
This system of part-time politicians is supported by a strong tradition of direct democracy, where citizens have the ability to influence legislation through referendums and initiatives. As a result, many Swiss politicians maintain their ties to their communities and remain connected to the concerns and interests of ordinary citizens.
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