How would one describe the Swiss canton system?

In one word: Federalism. A Swiss Canton is similar to a “state” in the US or a “Bundesland” in Germany with a certain degree of autonomy regarding taxes, regulations and public services. The autonomy is far smaller than in the US, but maybe larger than in Germany, and certainly larger than in France. read more

A Swiss Canton is similar to a “state” in the US or a “Bundesland” in Germany with a certain degree of autonomy regarding taxes, regulations and public services. The autonomy is far smaller than in the US, but maybe larger than in Germany, and certainly larger than in France. read more

Should a canton decide to secede, the new country would not be economically viable without continuing to be linked to the economy of Switzerland and Europe through such practices as the free movement of goods, services and persons (as canton-sized Liechtenstein is). read more