Patricia Schafer

Patricia Schafer, a Swiss political scientist and civic educator, explores the quirks of Switzerland's democracy. She delves into direct democracy, explaining how citizens shape governance through public votes. Patricia highlights the unique structure of the Swiss Federal Council, where decisions are made collectively without a central leader. She discusses the historical fight for women's voting rights and the current debates around inclusivity in civic participation, including extending rights to long-term residents and lowering the voting age.