Box 2.1 The main powers of the federation, the cantons and the communes

A. Distribution of responsibilities between the federation and the cantons

Issue	Exclusive legislative power by federation	Legislation by federation/ implementation by cantons	Legislation shared by federation/ cantons	Exclusive legislative power by cantons
Foreign Relations	þ
National defense	þ
Tariff law, currency and monetary system	þ
Postal services, telecommunications, mass media	þ
Railways, aviation nuclear energy	þ
Utilization of water power			þ
Roads			þ
Trade, industry, labour legislation			þ
Agriculture		þ
Civil and criminal law	þ	þ
Police				þ
Churches				þ
Public Schools, Education			þ
Taxes			þ
Social security, insurances	þ	þ
Protection of environment		þ

B. Responsibilities of the communes

• Building and surveillance of local roads
• In urban communities: local public transport systems
• Gas, electricity and water supply, removal services
• Local planning
• Election of teachers/building of schools
• Budget responsibility, imposition of taxes
• Public welfare

C. General Remarks

1. In the nineteenth century, the principle of division of powers among the three political levels prevailed. Today we find some form of cooperation between the federation, the cantons and the communes for most responsibilities.
2. The relations between the different levels of government are today far more complex than in the last century. 'Cooperative federalism' has sometimes become nontransparent.
3. Attempts in the 1970s to disentangle the three levels mostly failed. Proposals included constitutional reform and redivision of responsibilities and duties.

Source: Jiirg Martin Gabriel, Das politische System der Schweiz (Bern and Stuttgart: Haupt, 1990), p. 97.