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  | faculté =  
  | faculté =  
  | département =  
  | département =  
  | professeurs = [[Victor Monnier]]<ref>[https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/authors/view/33172 Publication de Victor Monnier repertoriées sur le site de l'Université de Genève]</ref><ref>[https://www.unige.ch/droit/actus/2019/hommage-victor-monnier/ Hommage à Victor Monnier sur le site de l'Université de Genève]</ref><ref>[https://www.cairn.info/publications-de-Victor-Monnier--55665.htm Publications de Victor Monnier sur Cairn.info]</ref><ref>[https://journals.openedition.org/ress/330 Publications de Victor Monnier sur Openedition.org]</ref><ref>[http://cerhiip.univ-amu.fr/index.php/presentation/les-membres-permanents/107-victor-monnier Page personnelle de Victor Monnier sur le site de l'Université de Aix-Marseille]</ref><ref>En Hommage ÀVictor Monnier.” Hommages.ch, 11 Mar. 2019, www.hommages.ch/Defunt/119766/Victor_MONNIER.</ref>
  | professeurs = [[Victor Monnier]]<ref>[https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/authors/view/33172 Publication de Victor Monnier repertoriées sur le site de l'Université de Genève]</ref><ref>[https://www.unige.ch/droit/actus/2019/hommage-victor-monnier/ Hommage à Victor Monnier sur le site de l'Université de Genève]</ref><ref>[https://www.cairn.info/publications-de-Victor-Monnier--55665.htm Publications de Victor Monnier sur Cairn.info]</ref><ref>[https://journals.openedition.org/ress/330 Publications de Victor Monnier sur Openedition.org]</ref><ref>[http://cerhiip.univ-amu.fr/index.php/presentation/les-membres-permanents/107-victor-monnier Page personnelle de Victor Monnier sur le site de l'Université de Aix-Marseille]</ref><ref>En Hommage À Victor Monnier.” Hommages.ch, 11 Mar. 2019, www.hommages.ch/Defunt/119766/Victor_MONNIER.</ref>
  | assistants =   
  | assistants =   
  | enregistrement =  
  | enregistrement =  
  | cours = [[Introduction au droit]]
  | cours = [[Introduction to law]]
  | lectures =
  | lectures =
*[[Définition du droit]]
*[[The definition of law]]
*[[L’État]]
*[[The State]]
*[[Les différentes branches du droit]]
*[[The different branches of law]]
*[[Les sources du droit]]
*[[The sources of law]]
*[[Les grandes traditions formatrices du droit]]
*[[The great formative traditions of law]]
*[[Les éléments de la relation juridique]]
*[[The elements of the legal relationship]]
*[[L’application du droit]]
*[[The application of law]]
*[[La mise en œuvre d’une loi]]
*[[The implementation of a law]]
*[[L’évolution de la Suisse des origines au XXème siècle]]
*[[The evolution of Switzerland from its origins to the 20th century]]
*[[Le cadre juridique interne de la Suisse]]
*[[Switzerland's domestic legal framework]]
*[[La structure d’État, le régime politique et la neutralité  de la Suisse]]
*[[Switzerland's state structure, political system and neutrality]]
*[[L’évolution des relations internationales de la fin du XIXe au milieu du XXe siècle]]
*[[The evolution of international relations from the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century]]
*[[Les organisations universelles]]
*[[The universal organizations]]
*[[Les organisations européennes et leurs relations avec la Suisse]]
*[[European organisations and their relations with Switzerland]]
*[[Les catégories et les générations de droits fondamentaux]]
*[[Categories and generations of fundamental rights]]
*[[Les origines des droits fondamentaux]]
*[[The origins of fundamental rights]]
*[[Les déclarations des droits de la fin du XVIIIe siècle]]
*[[Declarations of rights at the end of the 18th century]]
*[[Vers l’édification d’une conception universelle des droits fondamentaux au XXe siècle]]
*[[Towards the construction of a universal conception of fundamental rights in the 20th century]]
}}
}}


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= The State Confederation from the 13th century to 1798 =
= The State Confederation from the 13th century to 1798 =
[[Image:Struktur Eidgenossenschaft.png|300px|vignette|La Confédération des XIIIème cantons et ses alliés au XVIIIe siècle.]]


Switzerland before 1798 is composed of the Thirteen Sovereign States and is surrounded by many Allied territories including Geneva, Neuchâtel, the Valais and the Prince Abbot of St. Gallen. The allied and sovereign cantons have different regimes, as in Obwalden and Appenzell, where the people make the important decisions themselves. There are oligarchic regimes like Basel<ref><nowiki>http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F7478.php</nowiki></ref> and Fribourg, but also monarchical regimes such as in Neuchâtel or ecclesiastical monarchical regimes such as in Valais<ref>Les prêtres français émigrés à St-Maurice en Valais pendant la grande révolution - https://books.google.fr/books?id=fjk_AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA3&lpg=RA2-PA3&dq=valais+r%C3%A9gime+eccl%C3%A9siastique&source=bl&ots=NVN8bMnY8E&sig=EZhiHCKMCxBUm-BwseH6wQhvij0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVwdXWmafKAhUTyBoKHaFJDmwQ6AEIIDAA#v=onepage&q=valais%20r%C3%A9gime%20eccl%C3%A9siastique&f=false</ref><ref>Constitution et Lois de la Republique du Valais - https://books.google.fr/books?id=IFVhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=valais+r%C3%A9gime+eccl%C3%A9siastique&source=bl&ots=KFoMuB3eqv&sig=9BVxs-1M8Teo5as3hHAc6mcI2Gs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVwdXWmafKAhUTyBoKHaFJDmwQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q=valais%20r%C3%A9gime%20eccl%C3%A9siastique&f=false</ref>.  
[[Image:Struktur Eidgenossenschaft.png|300px|vignette|The Confederation of the 13th cantons and its allies in the 18th century.]]


In addition to these sovereign territories, there are subject, i. e. non-sovereign territories, following the example of Geneva, which is a sovereign city, but whose countryside is subject to (territories subject to one or more cantons). For example, the country of Vaud is subject to the canton of Berne, Ticino is subject to several cantons as are Aargau and Thurgau.
Switzerland before 1798 is composed of the Thirteen Sovereign States and is surrounded by many allied territories including Geneva, Neuchâtel, the Valais and the Prince Abbot of St. Gallen. The allied and sovereign cantons have different regimes, as in Obwalden and Appenzell, where the people make the important decisions themselves. There are oligarchic regimes like Basel<ref><nowiki>http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F7478.php</nowiki></ref> and Fribourg, but also monarchical regimes such as in Neuchâtel or ecclesiastical monarchical regimes such as in Valais<ref>Les prêtres français émigrés à St-Maurice en Valais pendant la grande révolution - https://books.google.fr/books?id=fjk_AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA3&lpg=RA2-PA3&dq=valais+r%C3%A9gime+eccl%C3%A9siastique&source=bl&ots=NVN8bMnY8E&sig=EZhiHCKMCxBUm-BwseH6wQhvij0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVwdXWmafKAhUTyBoKHaFJDmwQ6AEIIDAA#v=onepage&q=valais%20r%C3%A9gime%20eccl%C3%A9siastique&f=false</ref><ref>Constitution et Lois de la Republique du Valais - https://books.google.fr/books?id=IFVhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=valais+r%C3%A9gime+eccl%C3%A9siastique&source=bl&ots=KFoMuB3eqv&sig=9BVxs-1M8Teo5as3hHAc6mcI2Gs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiVwdXWmafKAhUTyBoKHaFJDmwQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q=valais%20r%C3%A9gime%20eccl%C3%A9siastique&f=false</ref>.
 
In addition to these sovereign territories, there are subject, i.e. non-sovereign territories, following the example of Geneva, which is a sovereign city, but whose countryside is subject to (territories subject to one or more cantons). For example, the country of Vaud is subject to the canton of Berne, Ticino is subject to several cantons as are Aargau and Thurgau.


To settle inter-cantonal affairs, there is an annual conference called the Confederal Diet where each canton and its allies are gathered. Decisions are taken unanimously. The thirteen sovereign cantons and a number of allies are represented. This together forms the Swiss body and each canton enjoys independence from each other.
To settle inter-cantonal affairs, there is an annual conference called the Confederal Diet where each canton and its allies are gathered. Decisions are taken unanimously. The thirteen sovereign cantons and a number of allies are represented. This together forms the Swiss body and each canton enjoys independence from each other.
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= The centralized unitary state: the Swiss Republic from 1798 to 1803 =
= The centralized unitary state: the Swiss Republic from 1798 to 1803 =
[[Fichier:Karte Helvetik 3.png|300px|thumb|right|Les 19 cantons de la République helvétique avant février 1802.]]
 
[[File:Flag_of_the_Helvetic_Republic_(French).png|right|200px|thumb|Drapeau de la République helvétique (version française, au verso).]]The French Revolution, which, in the wake of the American revolution, induces ideas of freedom and equality for individuals, will have a certain echo in Switzerland.
[[Fichier:Karte Helvetik 3.png|300px|thumb|right|The 19 cantons of the Swiss Republic before February 1802.]]
 
[[File:Flag_of_the_Helvetic_Republic_(French).png|right|200px|thumb|Flag of the Swiss Republic (French version, on the back).]]
 
The French Revolution, which, in the wake of the American Revolution, induces ideas of freedom and equality for individuals, will have a certain echo in Switzerland.


Thus, the principles of freedom and equality, which were excluded from political rights before 1798, will become an inalienable principle.
Thus, the principles of freedom and equality, which were excluded from political rights before 1798, will become an inalienable principle.
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= The Confederation of States from 1803 to 1848 =
= The Confederation of States from 1803 to 1848 =


La guerre civile est interrompue par l’intervention de Bonaparte qui a pour conséquence de revenir à un État confédéral.  
The civil war was interrupted by Bonaparte's intervention, which resulted in a return to a confederal state.
 
Napoleon brought to Paris a constituent assembly of all the Cantons, and drafted the Mediation Act of 1803 which restored the sovereignty of the cantons. However, the gains of the revolution are preserved by affirming the principles of equality and freedom. We are not going back to what was established before 1798.  
   
   
Napoléon fait venir à Paris une assemblée constituante de tous les Cantons, et élabore l’Acte de Médiation de 1803 qui restaure la souveraineté des cantons. Cependant, les acquis de la révolution sont conservés  en affirmant les principes d’égalité et de liberté. On ne revient pas à ce qui était établi avant 1798.
The cantons that were sovereign remain so and some allied states become full-fledged cantons. This confederal state structure offers all citizens the right to vote and stand for election, but this remains a cantonal matter.
 
Les cantons qui étaient souverains le restent et certains États alliés deviennent des cantons à part entière. Cette structure d’État confédéral offre à tous les citoyens le droit de suffrage et d’éligibilité qui reste cependant du domaine cantonal.
[[Image:Bild Bundesvertrag 1815.jpg|thumb|right|The Federal Pact of 1815.]]
 
The complex network of alliances was replaced by the Federal Act of 1803, which strengthened the military field: Switzerland had to be able to defend itself against the Austrians in particular. The diet is restored in the form of a diplomatic conference composed of two representatives per canton.
 
Following Napoleon's fall, the Act was replaced by the Federal Pact of 1815 (very similar to the 1803 Act), which was intended to organize the confederation.
 
From 1830 onwards, Switzerland experienced political and economic development and the sovereignty of the cantons blocked economic and political development.
 
The progressives want a centralized state while the Conservatives want the confederal state structure to be maintained.
 
During the Sonderbund war, the conservative clan was defeated. Leading to the Federal Constitution of 1848. The federal state structure continues to this day, based on the 1815 Federal Pact.


[[Image:Bild Bundesvertrag 1815.jpg|thumb|right|Le Pacte fédéral de 1815.]]
= The Federal State from 1848 to the present =
Le réseau complexe d’alliance est remplacé par l’Acte de fédéral en 1803 qui renforce le domaine militaire: il faut que la Suisse puisse se défendre notamment contre les Autrichiens. La diète est restaurée sous forme de conférence diplomatique composée de deux représentants par canton.


À la suite de la chute de Napoléon, l’Acte est remplacé par le [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conf%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_des_XXII_cantons#Le_pacte_f.C3.A9d.C3.A9ral_de_1815_et_l.27organisation_politique_de_la_Conf.C3.A9d.C3.A9ration Pacte fédéral] de 1815 (ressemble beaucoup à l'Acte de 1803) qui a pour but d’organiser la confédération.
[[Image:James Fazy (Harper's Illustration).png|thumb|150px|Portrait of James Fazy.]]
À partir de 1830, on assiste à un développement politique et économique de la Suisse et la souveraineté des cantons bloque le développement économique et politique.
Les progressistes veulent un État centralisé tandis que les conservateurs veulent le maintien de la structure d’État confédéral.
Durant la [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerre_du_Sonderbund guerre du Sonderbund], le clan conservateur est vaincu. Menant à la [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89tat_f%C3%A9d%C3%A9ral_de_1848 Constitution fédérale] de 1848. La structure d’État fédéral perdure jusqu’à aujourd’hui, basée sur le Pacte fédéral de 1815.


= L’État fédéral de 1848 à nos jours =
*1848: first constitution.
[[Image:James Fazy (Harper's Illustration).png|thumb|150px|Portrait de James Fazy]]
*1874: Total revision of the Constitution.
*1999: new total revision.
The federal state structure is a compromise. The progressives wanted a unitary state model inspired by France, with the abolition of cantonal sovereignty as a corollary.


*1848 : première constitution.
The federal model was put forward by a Genevan James Fasy, who referred to the value of the 1787 American constitution. It will promote American federalism and bicameralism (representative of the American people - House of Representatives - and representative of the States: Senate)
*1874 : révision totale de la Constitution.
*1999 : nouvelle révision totale.


La structure d’État fédéral est un compromis. Les progressistes voulaient un modèle d’État unitaire s’inspirant de la France avec comme corollaire l’abolition de la souveraineté des cantons.
The Conservatives are satisfied with the maintenance of the sovereignty of the cantons as set out in section 3 of the Constitution.  
Le modèle fédéral a été avancé par un Genevois [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Fazy James Fasy], qui évoqua la valeur de la constitution américaine de 1787. Il va promouvoir le fédéralisme et le bicamérisme américain (représentant du peuple américain - chambre des représentants - et représentant des États : Sénat)
Les conservateurs sont satisfaits du maintien de la souveraineté des cantons que l'on retrouve à l'article 3 de la constitution.


[[Fichier:Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse du 18 avril 1848 - article 3.png|vignette|center|300px|Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse de 1848 - article 3]]
[[Fichier:Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse du 18 avril 1848 - article 3.png|vignette|center|300px|Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse de 1848 - article 3]]


= Annexes =
= Annexes =
[[Image:Gedenkblatt 1874.jpg|200px|thumb]]
[[Image:Gedenkblatt 1874.jpg|200px|thumb]]
   
   
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* [[Les principes fondamentaux des relations entre États{{!}}Quel est le contenu du droit de neutralité ?]]
* [[Les principes fondamentaux des relations entre États{{!}}Quel est le contenu du droit de neutralité ?]]


== Dispositions importantes de la constitution fédérale suisse ==
== Important provisions of the Swiss Federal Constitution ==
 
{{colonnes|taille= 18|
{{colonnes|taille= 18|
* Art. 1 : Définit la notion de Confédération suisse, les noms des 26 cantons.
* Art. 1: Defines the notion of the Swiss Confederation, the names of the 26 cantons.
* Art. 2 : Indique les buts poursuivis par le pays.
* Art. 2: Indicates the goals pursued by the country.
* Art. 3 : Explique que les cantons sont souverains dans les domaines qui ne sont pas attribués à la Confédération.
* Art. 3: Explains that the cantons are sovereign in areas that are not assigned to the Confederation.
* Art. 5 : Garantit que les activités de l'État ont pour base et limite le Droit.
* Art. 5: Ensures that the activities of the State are based on and limit the Law.
* Art. 7 : La dignité humaine est respectée et protégée en tant que principe de base des droits fondamentaux. Ce droit ne peut en aucun cas être limité par l'État, même sous conditions exceptionnelles.
* Art. 7: Human dignity is respected and protected as a basic principle of fundamental rights. This right may under no circumstances be limited by the State, even under exceptional conditions.
* Art. 10 : Interdit la peine de mort, au nom du droit à la vie de chacun, et la torture.
* Art. 10: Prohibits the death penalty, in the name of the right to life of everyone, and torture.
* Art. 38 : Garantie du maintien du droit du sang pour l'obtention de la nationalité suisse.
* Art. 38: Guarantee of the maintenance of the right to blood for the acquisition of Swiss nationality.
* Art. 41 : Définit les buts sociaux de l'État et garantit notamment l'accès aux soins, à la protection sociale (chômage, invalidité, maladie, vieillesse), au logement, à l'éducation.
* Art. 41: Defines the social aims of the State and guarantees, in particular, access to health care, social protection (unemployment, invalidity, sickness, old age), housing and education.
* Art. 48 : L'alliance et les traités entre cantons contraires au droit et aux intérêt de la Confédération et des cantons sont interdits. En revanche, les cantons ont le droit de conclure entre eux des conventions (sur la législation, la justice et l'administration). La Confédération doit être informée de ces conventions : l'Assemblée fédérale doit approuver ces conventions (art 172.2).
* Art. 48: The alliance and treaties between cantons that are contrary to the law and the interests of the Confederation and the cantons are prohibited. On the other hand, the cantons have the right to conclude agreements between themselves (on legislation, justice and administration). The Confederation must be informed of these agreements: the Federal Assembly must approve these agreements (art 172.2).
* Art. 49 : Primauté du droit fédéral.
* Art. 49: Primacy of federal law.
* Art. 54 : Les affaires étrangères sont compétence de la Confédération.
* Art. 54: Foreign affairs are the responsibility of the Confederation.
** Art. 184 : Le Conseil fédéral représente la Suisse à l'étranger. Il signe et ratifie les traités internationaux sous réserve des droits de participation de l'Assemblée fédérale (art. 166.2).
** Art. 184: The Federal Council represents Switzerland abroad. It signs and ratifies international treaties subject to the participation rights of the Federal Assembly (art. 166.2).
** Art. 140.1 let. b et Art. 141.1 let. d : Certains traités internationaux et l'adhésion à des organisations internationales sont soumis au référendum.
** Art. 140.1 letter b and Art. 141.1 letter d: Some international treaties and membership of international organisations are subject to referendum.
* Art. 59 : Obligation de servir.
* Art. 59: Obligation to serve.
* Art. 72 : Précise que les rapports entre l'Église et l'État sont du ressort des cantons.
* Art. 72: Specifies that relations between the Church and the State are the responsibility of the cantons.
* Art. 136 : Droits politiques des citoyens suisses.
* Art. 136: Political rights of Swiss citizens.
* Art. 138-142 : Définition et fonctionnement des droits populaires, tels que l'initiative populaire et le référendum.
* Art. 138-142: Definition and functioning of popular rights, such as popular initiative and referendum.
* Art. 173.1 let. a et Art. 185. 1 : La Confédération prend des mesures préservant la sécurité, l'indépendance et la neutralité du pays.
* Art. 173.1 letter a and Art. 185. 1: The Confederation shall take measures to safeguard the security, independence and neutrality of the country.
** Art. 173.1 let. d et Art 185.4 : Le Conseil fédéral et l'Assemblée nationale disposent de l'armée, le Conseil fédéral n'est cependant dans ce domaine que subsidiaire.
** Art. 173.1 letter d and Art. 185.4: The Federal Council and the National Assembly have an army, but the Federal Council is only subsidiary in this area.
** Art 173. 2 : (Par extension) Seule l'Assemblée fédérale peut décider sur la Guerre et la Paix.
** Art 173. 2: (By extension) Only the Federal Assembly can decide on War and Peace.
* Art. 177 : Principe de la collégialité au sein du Conseil fédéral.
* Art. 177: Principle of collegiality within the Federal Council.
* Art. 191c : Garantie d'indépendance de la Justice.
* Art. 191c: Guarantee of the independence of the judiciary.
}}
}}


= Références =
= References =
<references />
<references />



Version du 24 juin 2019 à 07:46


Languages

The State Confederation from the 13th century to 1798

The Confederation of the 13th cantons and its allies in the 18th century.

Switzerland before 1798 is composed of the Thirteen Sovereign States and is surrounded by many allied territories including Geneva, Neuchâtel, the Valais and the Prince Abbot of St. Gallen. The allied and sovereign cantons have different regimes, as in Obwalden and Appenzell, where the people make the important decisions themselves. There are oligarchic regimes like Basel[7] and Fribourg, but also monarchical regimes such as in Neuchâtel or ecclesiastical monarchical regimes such as in Valais[8][9].

In addition to these sovereign territories, there are subject, i.e. non-sovereign territories, following the example of Geneva, which is a sovereign city, but whose countryside is subject to (territories subject to one or more cantons). For example, the country of Vaud is subject to the canton of Berne, Ticino is subject to several cantons as are Aargau and Thurgau.

To settle inter-cantonal affairs, there is an annual conference called the Confederal Diet where each canton and its allies are gathered. Decisions are taken unanimously. The thirteen sovereign cantons and a number of allies are represented. This together forms the Swiss body and each canton enjoys independence from each other.

Despite social and religious conflicts, for five centuries these different sovereign states have remained united around four common denominators:

  • protect against the outside world;
  • to maintain peace and public order between them;
  • defend their rights and freedoms;
  • promote prosperity (money interest alliance).

The consensus rule applies, decisions are taken unanimously because everyone benefits.

Until the 16th century, there were only 4 conflicts and 3 wars.

What kept the Swiss together?

There is no constitution, but a strong network of alliances links the cantons.

The centralized unitary state: the Swiss Republic from 1798 to 1803

The 19 cantons of the Swiss Republic before February 1802.
Flag of the Swiss Republic (French version, on the back).

The French Revolution, which, in the wake of the American Revolution, induces ideas of freedom and equality for individuals, will have a certain echo in Switzerland.

Thus, the principles of freedom and equality, which were excluded from political rights before 1798, will become an inalienable principle.

The French Republic will support the Swiss revolution and invade the territory making Switzerland a Swiss Republic created on the model of the French Republic. However, it has an economic interest. On the other hand, France, which has conquered Northern Italy, is very interested in the strategic position offered by the Swiss territory.

In 1798 the first Swiss constitution was promulgated, inspired by the 1795 constitution in France. The Swiss Republic is a centralized state. The system of cantonal sovereignty is abolished.

From now on, the central state is sovereign. The former territories under subjection are now on an equal footing. The individual is also emancipated, each adult individual is recognized for the exercise of his or her political rights and a political system with universal suffrage is founded. However, this Swiss Republic depends on France.

The Swiss Republic is plagued by many tensions between those who want to maintain this new order and those conservatives who want to return to the old model. In 1802, a civil war engulfed Switzerland for a return to the sovereignty of the cantons.

The Confederation of States from 1803 to 1848

The civil war was interrupted by Bonaparte's intervention, which resulted in a return to a confederal state.

Napoleon brought to Paris a constituent assembly of all the Cantons, and drafted the Mediation Act of 1803 which restored the sovereignty of the cantons. However, the gains of the revolution are preserved by affirming the principles of equality and freedom. We are not going back to what was established before 1798.

The cantons that were sovereign remain so and some allied states become full-fledged cantons. This confederal state structure offers all citizens the right to vote and stand for election, but this remains a cantonal matter.

The Federal Pact of 1815.

The complex network of alliances was replaced by the Federal Act of 1803, which strengthened the military field: Switzerland had to be able to defend itself against the Austrians in particular. The diet is restored in the form of a diplomatic conference composed of two representatives per canton.

Following Napoleon's fall, the Act was replaced by the Federal Pact of 1815 (very similar to the 1803 Act), which was intended to organize the confederation.

From 1830 onwards, Switzerland experienced political and economic development and the sovereignty of the cantons blocked economic and political development.

The progressives want a centralized state while the Conservatives want the confederal state structure to be maintained.

During the Sonderbund war, the conservative clan was defeated. Leading to the Federal Constitution of 1848. The federal state structure continues to this day, based on the 1815 Federal Pact.

The Federal State from 1848 to the present

Portrait of James Fazy.
  • 1848: first constitution.
  • 1874: Total revision of the Constitution.
  • 1999: new total revision.

The federal state structure is a compromise. The progressives wanted a unitary state model inspired by France, with the abolition of cantonal sovereignty as a corollary.

The federal model was put forward by a Genevan James Fasy, who referred to the value of the 1787 American constitution. It will promote American federalism and bicameralism (representative of the American people - House of Representatives - and representative of the States: Senate)

The Conservatives are satisfied with the maintenance of the sovereignty of the cantons as set out in section 3 of the Constitution.

Constitution fédérale de la Confédération suisse de 1848 - article 3

Annexes

Gedenkblatt 1874.jpg

Important provisions of the Swiss Federal Constitution

  • Art. 1: Defines the notion of the Swiss Confederation, the names of the 26 cantons.
  • Art. 2: Indicates the goals pursued by the country.
  • Art. 3: Explains that the cantons are sovereign in areas that are not assigned to the Confederation.
  • Art. 5: Ensures that the activities of the State are based on and limit the Law.
  • Art. 7: Human dignity is respected and protected as a basic principle of fundamental rights. This right may under no circumstances be limited by the State, even under exceptional conditions.
  • Art. 10: Prohibits the death penalty, in the name of the right to life of everyone, and torture.
  • Art. 38: Guarantee of the maintenance of the right to blood for the acquisition of Swiss nationality.
  • Art. 41: Defines the social aims of the State and guarantees, in particular, access to health care, social protection (unemployment, invalidity, sickness, old age), housing and education.
  • Art. 48: The alliance and treaties between cantons that are contrary to the law and the interests of the Confederation and the cantons are prohibited. On the other hand, the cantons have the right to conclude agreements between themselves (on legislation, justice and administration). The Confederation must be informed of these agreements: the Federal Assembly must approve these agreements (art 172.2).
  • Art. 49: Primacy of federal law.
  • Art. 54: Foreign affairs are the responsibility of the Confederation.
    • Art. 184: The Federal Council represents Switzerland abroad. It signs and ratifies international treaties subject to the participation rights of the Federal Assembly (art. 166.2).
    • Art. 140.1 letter b and Art. 141.1 letter d: Some international treaties and membership of international organisations are subject to referendum.
  • Art. 59: Obligation to serve.
  • Art. 72: Specifies that relations between the Church and the State are the responsibility of the cantons.
  • Art. 136: Political rights of Swiss citizens.
  • Art. 138-142: Definition and functioning of popular rights, such as popular initiative and referendum.
  • Art. 173.1 letter a and Art. 185. 1: The Confederation shall take measures to safeguard the security, independence and neutrality of the country.
    • Art. 173.1 letter d and Art. 185.4: The Federal Council and the National Assembly have an army, but the Federal Council is only subsidiary in this area.
    • Art 173. 2: (By extension) Only the Federal Assembly can decide on War and Peace.
  • Art. 177: Principle of collegiality within the Federal Council.
  • Art. 191c: Guarantee of the independence of the judiciary.

References