It also helps that they are a small country. Like Norway, or Denmark, or even, potentially, like Scotland. Or Vermont (which nearly became independent, in about 1800, and still sort of is.)
It may be that smaller States tend towards rural so their social groupings are more determined by geography. So they're more matched to the size of a cohesive human social network (a few hundred individuals).
Also their thinking may be more 'down to earth' than the metropolitans' from whose ranks our leaderships are drawn.
It also helps that they are a small country. Like Norway, or Denmark, or even, potentially, like Scotland. Or Vermont (which nearly became independent, in about 1800, and still sort of is.)
It may be that smaller States tend towards rural so their social groupings are more determined by geography. So they're more matched to the size of a cohesive human social network (a few hundred individuals).
Also their thinking may be more 'down to earth' than the metropolitans' from whose ranks our leaderships are drawn.
I do feel that the essential positive of the Swiss system is small is beautiful, to coin a phrase. The commune, the canton, the referenda.