Abstract

The essay provides an overview of the forms of local democracy and their use in Switzerland. A survey of the main actors in local political participation and their characteristics is followed by assessment of the importance of semi-direct democracy in what can be called the local political system. In general, Swiss semi-direct democracy appears to be in robust health, and indeed seems able to extend the political game. However, this is an extension that is not necessarily to the benefit of all the actors involved. In the current situation, characterized by dissociation and the fragmentation of society, the author proposes the Swiss model of semi-direct democracy as a useful instrument of socio-political integration.