Politics Not as Usual!

California and Switzerland may not have much in common. But in October, both had significant elections. A noteworthy contributing factor was the issue of immigration.

by Melvin Rhodes

California and Switzerland may not have much in common. When the former is mentioned most people think of sun and sand, while the latter evokes images of snow and mountains.

But in October both places had what may turn out to be significant elections. The results could be the beginning of a period in which it will be "politics not as usual."

In the United States, California's election received unprecedented coverage for a gubernatorial contest. A chief reason for this was the candidacy of movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger. With no political experience in his past, the former body builder was an easy victor, attracting the biggest voter turnout in the state's history. The message for politicians? People are tired of politics and politicians—put a famous celebrity up for election and people will vote for him, even if he has no experience (perhaps because he has no experience!).

So what was so significant about Switzerland and how do the two fit together?

Switzerland has a unique form of democratic government. The country is effectively run by a seven-man council, elected by the Federal Assembly. In October, what the Western press has labeled as an "extreme right wing" party gained ground and is now the dominant force in the government.

The Swiss Peoples' Party (SVP) is an anti-immigrant party that has gained public confidence in recent years, at the expense of the left-leaning Social Democrats. The change in the composition of the ruling council has ended a coalition government that held power for 44 years. Fears of the massive numbers of Islamic immigrants to Western Europe have been fueled by the attacks on the United States and subsequent terrorist attacks elsewhere.

Although the issue of immigration was not often openly expressed in the California election, it was nevertheless a primary reason for the election being held in the first place.

Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0311/politicsusual.htm

Related Information on UCG Sites:

Table of Contents that includes "Politics Not as Usual!"
Other Articles by Melvin Rhodes

Switzerland:

_World News Review February 2000

Multiculturalism:

European Union - demographics:

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