Last weekend, thousands of citizens gathered in the small Swiss town of Appenzell Innerrhoden to cast their votes — not by filling out paper ballots, but by a simple show of hands. The gathering starts with a parade of government members, followed by a discussion of issues where attendees can stand up and voice their opinions on the assembly podium. The Landamman, the presiding official, encourages everyone to make compromises and listen to each other. For hours, questions boom over loudspeakers about constitutional, legislative, and financial issues, in addition to elections for local leaders. Approximately 17,000 residents either raise their hands for yes or keep them down for no. From a wooden podium, the chief magistrate visually assesses the crowd to determine each outcome, often requiring multiple rounds or calling upon city officials for closer calls. The tradition — known as Landsgemeinde — dates back to 1376 and today only survives in two of Switzerland’s 26 cantons (similar to states in America) due to concerns over privacy and practicality in areas with larger populations. Locals note that the transparency can be a strength. “Standing together with other people, you can experience politics with all your senses,” said Angela Koller, the head of the cantonal government. The system ensures that every person can have their say, despite multiple languages and significant cultural differences. This appears to pull citizens on both sides towards the reasonable middle. Not so long ago, the Swiss voted against giving themselves more holidays on the basis that it may cause long-term damage to the economy.
