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The Swiss grafted this tradition of direct democracy onto their American-style federal constitution. For the first time in history, initiatives and referendums thus became a regular part of national, as opposed to local, governance. But the details of this Swiss system were designed to serve its cultural and political purpose. As Corina Casanova, Switzerland’s federal chancellor, puts it, “we strive to solve conflicts through consensus and compromise.” Direct democracy aids, rather than hinders, that.
Any amendment to the Swiss constitution, for example, requires a referendum. But it also needs a simple majority of the cantons in the legislature. So just over half the cantons, which might represent a minority of Swiss voters, can overrule the majority in a referendum, thus addressing Madison’s worry about majoritarian tyranny. The proposed amendment then goes back to the legislature for redrafting—ie, for Washington’s “cooling”.
The same applies to initiatives. Citizens may launch one, but the legislature then has the option to draft a counter-proposal. Long before any voting, two or more drafts of legislation circulate, all trying to address the same problem. “In practical terms this means that behind the scenes, initiative committees and the authorities engage in a process of bargaining,” says Ms Casanova. “This leaves no room for extreme solutions, only well-balanced solutions backed by all.”

A. 어휘
graft 接木(접목)하다, 뇌물로 받다. initiatives 국민발의.
governance 통치, 관리. chancellor 대법원장, 장관, 명예직 대학총장.
strive 노력하다. hinder 방해하다. amendment 修正(수정).
canton 스위스연방의 州(주). legislature 입법부, 입법기관, 州 의회.
overrule 棄却(기각)하다, 破棄(파기)하다, 무효로 하다.
tyranny 폭정, 압제. redraft 고쳐 쓰다, 再(재) 起草(기초)하다.
counter-proposal 逆(역) 提案(제안). circulate 순환하다, 유통시키다.
authorities 當局(당국).