Swiss Political Landscape: Parties and Decision-Making

This lecture delves into the Swiss political landscape, focusing on major political parties, decision-making processes, and the central role of interest groups. It covers the historical evolution of political integration, the composition of the Federal Council, and the distribution of seats in the National Council and Council of States. The concept of 'Concordance Democracy' is explored, highlighting the paradox of direct democracy leading to elite negotiations. The lecture also discusses the evolution of Swiss politics from the Freisinn/Radical 'hegemony' to the modern era of new polarizations, including the rise of right-wing populism. Overall, it provides a comprehensive overview of Switzerland's unique political system.