Switzerland is famous for its unique political system known as direct democracy, a structure that gives ordinary citizens an unusually powerful voice in how the country is governed. Instead of voting only during elections, Swiss citizens regularly participate in nationwide referendums where they decide on taxes, infrastructure projects, immigration rules, environmental laws, and even constitutional changes.

What makes this system especially rare is that citizens can directly challenge government decisions. If enough signatures are collected, a law passed by parliament can be forced into a public vote and overturned entirely. This constant involvement has shaped Swiss political culture around participation, compromise, and civic responsibility, making democracy an ongoing process rather than a once in a while event.