I was sitting in my politics lecture this week busily taking notes and being impressed by Swiss style democracy. Switzerland is the closest example we have of direct democracy in modern society.
On average there are 7 referendums per year in Switzerland. Major policy decisions and all changes to the constitution are decided via referendums. The reliance on referendums dates back to 1848. It has led to a very stable government and, contrary to what you might initially think, is a very efficient and progressive system. For example the referendums have led to approving legislation regarding carbon taxation and recognition of same-sex partnerships . Voting in referendums is not compulsory and voters tend to be well informed. As opposed to what we see in modern representative democracies - politicians are part-timers without huge media prestige.
"Switzerland did not grant women the vote until 1971"
However, just as I was thinking yay
for the Swiss, the lecture said:
"Switzerland did not grant women the vote until 1971"
I said: "Gasp"
I mean I actually, literally, audibly gasped.
And a number of swivel necked and primarily female students turned to look at me. They seemed nonplussed by the information and but apparently surprised by my shock. It's not that these students are mute. They can raise a decent "murmur" when something piques their interest.
Why did these other students seem unsurprised by what the lecture had said but so shocked by my gasp? I have a few theories:
1. They already knew about this appalling example of the abuse of women's rights and were surprised that I did not already know this. How could any self respecting female politics student not know this?
2. They were not actually listening to the lecture as they were too busy robotically taking notes. Of course when they read over these notes as part of their exam preparation their shocked gasp will bring their parents or other house mates running to see what the matter is.
3. They are all so terribly young that 1971 sounds like such a long time ago. Any time in history that predates the internet and Twilight must have been so horribly primitive that they are surprised anyone had the vote, let alone women. Of course for someone born just 3 years after 1971 it seems unspeakably outrageous that the women's suffrage movement in Switzerland had to fight so long for this basic sign of respect.
4. They just didn't care. They have been born into a time and place where their rights as women to vote, get an education and pursue any career of their choice are unquestioned. Unfortunately these rights are now taken for granted, and consequently are undervalued.
I find it quite astounding and disturbing that Switzerland took so long to grant women the vote. And I wonder long would it have taken for women to achieve the right to vote in Australia if the issue was decided by a referendum amongst male voters?
For a time line of women's suffrage in Switzerland:
As a comparison, here is a link to the a time line of when the vote was granted to women by country:
I have picked out a few examples from the timeline in case you can't be bothered perusing the whole list:
1893 - New Zealand1902 - Australia
1906 - Finland
1917 - Canada
1918 - UK, Germany, Russia, Ireland,
1920 - US
1924 - Mongolia
1930 - South Africa - Whites only of course
1944 - France
1945 - Italy, Japan, Indonesia
1948 - Israel
1949 - China
1963 - Afganistan, Iran,
1971 - Switzerland
1994 - South Africa - blacks
