If Switzerland's political system did not include federalism, Covid's management would have been more efficient. Or rather, in keeping with the precautionary principle, «less inefficient». The fact that the Confederation, despite its special powers during this special period, must consult the cantons before taking important decisions to protect public health seems absurd to many commentators - whether professional or armchair. And the fact that these same cantons can take contradictory measures among themselves is hardly more bearable for those who like to recall the famous refrain that «the virus knows no borders» - which is true. The fact that at one point, at the start of the crisis, it was enough to cross the Neuchâtel-Berne border to go and eat at a restaurant, would be the perfect illustration of this «cacophony».
But another view is possible. At least, this is the view of various experts, who argue that Switzerland would have achieved better results if it had shown not less federalism, but more federalism. more federalism. Among them is Mark Schelker, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Fribourg, whose April article in the Economic life together with Christoph A. Schaltegger, Professor of Political Economy at the University of Lucerne, wrote a paper entitled «Covid-19: how useful is federalism in times of crisis?» and gave a talk on the subject at the Journée libérale romande in October.
The arguments behind this little-heard and little-listened-to position? Firstly, the idea theorized by Hayek that information is available locally holds true even in the case of a pandemic: each canton runs its own hospital system, has a certain mentality within its population, is geographically located more or less close to outbreaks of the virus, and so on. What's more, in a context of great uncertainty, a vision is needed, but also a certain modesty. This makes comparisons between countries, and between cantons in the case of Switzerland, particularly relevant. The idea is that competition between measures will lead to optimized use of resources and the rapid identification of bad decisions.
Of course, federalism requires certain conditions to function properly. Examples include fiscal equivalence (expenditure and revenue must be financed at the same level) and unity of competence and responsibility (if a level is competent for a task, it must also be responsible for it). The current situation has shown the limits of the communalization of responsibilities. We must never forget that federalism is not about delegating powers «from above», from the Confederation to the cantons, but «from below»: the cantons, together with the people, decide which powers they wish to hand over to the Confederation.
The debate should at least take place. Not to generate regrets or reproaches after the fact regarding Switzerland's management of Covid-19. But rather to keep the debate on federalism, which is still alive and kicking in Swiss democracy, alive and kicking. What's at stake is the prevention of episodes similar to the one we're experiencing today, as well as the preservation of our political system, its understanding and its evolution.
Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com
Drawing: © Nathanaël Schmid for Le Regard Libre
You've just read an open-access editorial. Debates, analysis, cultural news: subscribe to support us and get access to all our content!
French 
German 
English