Direct democracy and federalism are hallmarks of the Swiss political system. Swiss citizens are subject to three legal jurisdictions: the commune, canton and federal levels. The 1848 federal constitution defines a system of direct democracy (sometimes called half-direct or representative direct democracy because it is aided by the more commonplace institutions of a representative democracy). The instruments of this system at the federal level, known as civic rights (Volksrechte, droits civiques), include the right to submit a constitutional initiative and a referendum, both of which may overturn parliamentary decisions. COUNT 5
QSN1 How many legal jurisdictions are Swiss citizens subject to? ANS1 three QSN2 What are the legal jurisdictions that Swiss citizens are subject to? ANS2 commune, canton and federal levels QSN3 What type of democracy was defined in the 1848 federal constitution? ANS3 direct QSN4 What two things do citizens have the right to submit to overturn parliamentary decisions? ANS4 a constitutional initiative and a referendum QSN5 What are the two hallmarks of the Swiss political system? ANS5 Direct democracy and federalism