[omgomgomgomg]

Sorry to be that guy, but cantons and states are very different.

Cantons have vastly more autonomy than any us state, on any matter. The US system does not even come close. I am not sure which one has more pros/cons, though.

[HWR_14]

How are the cantons that much different from the states? Legally, the Swiss federal government has authority over the armed forces, currency, the postal service, telecommunications, immigration into and emigration from the country, granting asylum, conducting foreign relations with sovereign states, civil and criminal law, weights and measures, and customs duties. In 1990, when the last cantons approved women to vote, it was because of the federal government enforcing it on them over their objections.

That reads pretty much verbatim like the enumerated powers in the US Constitution. And the idea of the federal government forcing states/cantons to abide by "letting people vote" is a common thread as well.

The major difference I see is that cantons (unlike states) can enter into agreements with each other or foreign countries without federal approval.

But I never lived in Switzerland! I'm probably missing something?