![On voting weekends, posters like this one summon voters to the ballot box.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/on-vote-titel-300x225.jpg)
Direct democracy in Switzerland
Of all the world’s democracies, Switzerland has the most extensive elements of direct democracy. The historical roots of this political structure lie in the country’s relatively well-developed educational system, and the rural uprisings of the 19th century.
Cooperative principle, natural law and education system as a basis
![The Glarus Landsgemeinde, the cantonal assembly, on a postcard dating from around 1895.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/landgemeinde-glarus-um-1895-gbe-118229-lm-76911320-300x212.jpg)
![A fundamental pillar of direct democracy: education for all. “Das Schulexamen” by Albert Anker, 1862.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/das-schulexamen-von-albert-anker-1862-300x176.jpg)
Baselland and its “movement people”
![Carving up territory as a result of the conflict between town and countryside.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/gebietsteilung-als-folge-des-konflikts-zwischen-stadt-und-landschaft-300x231.jpg)
Lucerne and its “rural democrats”
![Portrait of Ignaz Paul Vital Troxler (1780-1866).](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/ignaz-paul-vital-troxler-274x300.jpg)
A number of political currents were essential in enforcing direct democratic rights
![Symbolic reminder of the pre-modern democratic institutions in the chamber of the Council of States. “Die Landsgemeinde” mural by Albert Welti and Wilhelm Balmer, 1917.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/die-landsgemeinde-standerat-300x211.jpg)