E25: Switzerland’s Version of the U.S. Constitution—But Smarter episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 5, 2023 · 51 MIN

E25: Switzerland’s Version of the U.S. Constitution—But Smarter

from El Podcast · host Sacha Pictet, Jesse Wright, El Podcast, El Podcast Media

Swiss political leader and asset manager Sasha Pictet joins the show to explain how Switzerland’s unique system of direct democracy works—and what the U.S. might learn from it.Guest Bio: Sasha Pictet is a Swiss national, asset manager, and co-founder of Leo Ventures and Salva, a company focused on regenerative tourism. He is a member of the Green Liberal Party of Switzerland and currently resides in the United States.Topics Discussed:Why Swiss women only gained full voting rights in 1991Switzerland’s adoption and evolution of a U.S.-inspired constitutionHow direct democracy works in Switzerland (referenda, constitutional changes, voting logistics)Political party structure in Switzerland and the role of the Green Liberal PartyPublic education, healthcare, and taxation in Switzerland vs. the U.S.The flaws in U.S. presidential and electoral systemsSocial cohesion, representation, and trust in government institutionsThe limits of inclusivity politics and DEIWhat Americans misunderstand about European "socialism"If Sasha could import one feature of Swiss governance into the U.S. Best Quotes:“Only the Swiss would vote against giving themselves more vacation.”“In Switzerland, if you want to change the constitution, you don’t amend it—you rewrite it.”“The damage one person can do is far greater than what seven people can.”“We don’t talk about race like Americans do. We talk about people—humans.”“You don’t change the rules for 99.99% of people to accommodate 0.01%.”“If you could fix one thing in the U.S., I’d start with the right to petition Congress directly.”📺Watch the full podcast on YouTube➡️https://youtu.be/5ozbBsZfhvc?si=NdeG-4H-XYaWqStQ 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us. Thanks for listening!

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 5, 2023

Embed this episode

Swiss political leader Sasha Pictet explains how Switzerland adapted and improved upon the U.S. Constitution through direct democracy, where citizens can vote on nearly every policy and even change the constitution. He compares Swiss and American systems on education, taxation, representation, and civic participation—offering insight into how decentralized, citizen-led governance can create a more stable and inclusive society.

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

E25: Switzerland’s Version of the U.S. Constitution—But Smarter

0:00 51:17

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of El Podcast?

This episode is 51 minutes long.

When was this El Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on April 5, 2023.

Can I download this El Podcast episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!