Die Tragödie von Crans-Montana zeigt die Grenzen des föderalen Systems der Schweiz auf

Title is stupid. Article says that the tragedy was avoidable if the rules would have been applied properly. It has nothing to do with whether it’s a federal or any other system.

As a parent and a middle aged person I’ve instinctively felt that the way this state is organised and led, poses more risk for the less capable, minors, young, elderly, ill, poor. Not less, assumingly because of its wealth. A lot more.

It’s a cautionary story how valueless radical liberalism coupled with traditional „we’re all in this together, solidarity and hope“ mask leaves victims behind. A cruel country, Switzerland, not far from the old mercenary business. Thorvaldsen lion tears, died for the safety of the children that are left. 

An ever increasing nanny state is not an answer to random and sporadic disasters. It is the ever-present call of the tyranical that we must have a more powerful centralized goverment when things (anything) goes wrong. Government does not exist to nerf the world for you. There will always be risks and that’s ok.

It is a shame that these people met their end but more centralization of power is never the answer.

Those arguing for it exhibit a cult-like mentality. How can one have observed the results of ever-increasing centralization over the last 50 years and think to themselves ‚yeah this is working out well.‘

I think we need to acknowledge that there are some „two tier“ realities when it comes to municipalities. A city like Zürich has more resources and capacity than multiple entire cantons combined and federalism allows them to maximise that potential. I believe that many smaller cantons need to consider consolidating more power at the cantonal level rather than maintaining the spotty and – all the more evident – abusable realities of municpal politics.

Town councils composed 80% of the same three last names, Patrician corporations having near monopolies on natural resources also sporting the same three last names. The inability to properly meet requirements of new legislation and instead stalling or going with non enforcement. In my experience its the reality of many semi-rural or „suburban“ municipalities.

I think some cantons need to shift to being „strong cantons“. More akin to a semi-unitary states. Municipal consolidation, centralisation of resources manpower and expertise. The dream of a milita government i think is a good principle but its also extremely high bar to meet for increasingly esoteric specialisations required for modern governance.

No doubt many will disagree, but I also fear that „business as usual“ can’t be our future. We need capable institutions and small municipalities can’t be expected to bear the weight of everything on their own, and we need to acknowledge that economies of scale do exist and we need to leverage them at the cantonal level at the very least.