[JumpCrisscross]

> Swiss constitution was actually modeled after that of the US

“The Amercian national constitution, the Articles of Confederation, was constructed on the Swiss model of a confederacy of some over sovereign states. Then, Americans repudiated confederal government in 1787 as impotent and unworkable and adapted a new federal constitution. The opponents of the new charter, the Anti Federalists argued that a Swiss style government was still a viable model which offered the best hope for the preservation of American liberty. The Swiss themselves repudiated confederate government in 1848 using many of the same arguments Americans had marshalled against it in 1787 and adapted a Federal constitution modelled after the American constitution of 1787. After the Civil War many American state and local governments adapted constitutional reforms borrowed from the Swiss. The initiative and referendum – which continues to this hour to give the politics of California and other influential states their distinctive tone.”

https://www.legalanthology.ch/hutson_swiss-and-american-stat...

[s1artibartfast]

I think that supports what I said, but I love the added detail. There was more back and forth exchange than I remembered.

Another fun fact about the Swiss government that I think is superior to the US is that the effectively have seven presidents which form an executive council. The executive council debates behind closed doors and presents a unified public front. Internal debates of the executive counsel are sealed for 20 years before release to the public.

That said, my favorite thing about Switzerland is still that the vast majority of tax collection and public spending occurs at the local level. Federal spending revenue is approximately 30% with the rest being the local cantons. Swiss Cantons are smaller by population then a typical California county.

I think this emphasis on local government results in Civic engagement, oversight, and empowerment while reducing political strife.

[JumpCrisscross]

> seven presidents which former executive council. The executive council debates behind closed doors and presents a unified public front

This resembles the Athenian executive. It works in peacetime but less so in war. It’s also bad if you polarise because it blamelessly deadlocks.

[throw_pm23]

You said "A was modeled on B", the answer said "B was modeled on A".

[JumpCrisscross]

No, the Swiss federal constitution is based on America’s federal constitution. The American Article of Confederation, our previous Constitution, was based on our Helvetic Confederation constitution. Strictly speaking our constitution is based on the American Constitution.