Direct democracy since 1387 with Pascal Vuichard

Rules of the Game – discussing democratic institutions

Cantonal assemblies ("Landsgemeinde" in German) in the town of Glarus have been held on the main public square every year since 1387. In this episode, I welcome my first guest, Pascal Vuichard, on the podcast, and discuss with him one of the oldest, if not the oldest democratic institution in the world. Pascal Vuichard has taken part in the assembly as a voter, a speaker, and a member of parliament, and he is thus best placed to share stories and achievements of the institution based on his first hand experience.

The Cantonal Assembly of Glarus is a direct democratic, deliberative, and highly representative government institution. It complements the cantonal parliament of Glarus as a check on representative democracy. Citizens of the canton gather every year in the first week of May under the open sky, to enact amendments to the constitution, to deliberate and vote up or down new legislation, to elect judges, and the president and vice-president of the cantonal executive government, and to approve the public budget.

It is a very traditional and robust democratic institution that has been serving the people of Glarus over many centuries. Despite its ancient and unchanged character, the people are proud and supportive of the institution.

Please enjoy this wide ranging conversation with Pascal Vuichard.

Find some references and a transcript at https://rulesofthegame.blog/direct-democracy-since-1387/

A short documentary about the cantonal assembly (Youtube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JdrDuCY5Qs&t=14s&ab_channel=KantonGlarus

Follow Pascal Vuichard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PVuichard

Learn more about Pascal Vuichard's projects: https://pascalvuichard.ch/