Швајцарска федерализована демократија за историјски задате заједнице
Swiss Federalized Democracy for Given Historic Communities

Summary/Abstract: In this article the author demonstrates that the relation between federalism and democracy in Switzerland goes beyond the logic of modern statehood. On one hand, the article enlightens link between today’s Swiss federation and political philosophy of Johannes Althusius, thinker whose theory questions the very basic premises of modern statehood. On the other hand, the article demonstrates that Swiss constitutional history resides on essentially different understanding of democracy in comparison to classical modern liberal states. In contrast to today’s widespread instrumental understanding of democracy, conceived as an institutional tool which produces effective majorities, democracy in Switzerland is aimed at enabling as much self- determination of citizens as possible. Swiss constitutional experience, which testifies of inherent connection between federalism and democracy, inspired some scholars to introduce “federalized democracy” concept into theoretical discourse. Realization of federalized democracy concept in Switzerland has proven to be a rather efficient toll for preserving national unity and political autonomy of historically existing communities. In today’s politico- historical reality, however, federalized democracy concept has proven to be extremely rigid and closed for all other kinds of diversity that don’t follow historical lines of separation.

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