A Small History of Women's Rights (in Switzerland) - For a Change

By: Hans Bool
Submitted: 2007-01-17 10:57:32
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We all know Switzerland. It is a small country with no connection to the see, a fact that makes the country already special. Top of mind, thinking about Switzerland you will probably mention – watches or the banking secret.

But did you know this?

Below are presented some dates from countries in which they conceded women the right to vote:

• Soviet Union (1917), Austria (1918), Germany (1919), USA (1920), the United Kingdom (1928), Spain (1931), France (1944), Italy (1945) and Switzerland (1971) ...

Apparently, while in 1971 the confederation introduced the women’s right to vote, two autonomous regions (called Cantons) were able to withhold these rights:

two conservative half-cantons in eastern Switzerland, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden refused to do so for a long time. During the 1980's pressure of public opinion increased. The men of Appenzell Ausserrhoden thought it might be better to change their laws themselves and they did so in 1989. But in Appenzell Innerrhoden nothing changed. (http://history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/chronology-womens-right-vote-switzerland.html)

Clearly an exception asking to be further investigated:

... seems that the introduction of major changes in society is easier when the system is changed altogether: The Soviet Union, Austria and Germany (1917-1919) introduced women's right to vote together with the abolition of monarchy, while it took longer to modify an established and functioning democratic tradition (UK 1928, France 1944, Switzerland 1971). (same source)

This seems a very plausible analysis. When you compare this to the business management practice. There are indeed those issues avoided by many because of their delicacy. But all of a sudden, there comes a time with momentum for change and the “minor” topic gets finally attention and is solved –- "why didn’t we do this earlier," is what people say afterwards.

Also true is the fact that real changes take place by exceptions and “the last drop makes the cup run over.” Apparently this was not yet the case in this canton. Why it took this canton until 1990 still seems like a Swiss banking secret.

But from the analysis of the Swiss history we learn more:

On the other hand, changing rules alone is only the one half of the process of change - the new rules must be known and accepted by a broad majority of the population to become effective. Direct Democracy does help to raise a discussion on rules in the families, at work and in other places ordinary people meet each other. Experts are forced to explain the necessity for change not only to a small number of people (members of government and parliament) but to everybody. This is very helpful to ensure that (almost) everybody will understand the need for change. (s.c.)

Experience the relation between change and knowledge. It takes time to get the new rules known by the community. Or ... we have failed to sell the new rules because we didn’t believe strongly enough in them?

© 2006 Hans Bool

Hans Bool is the founder of Astor White a traditional management consulting company that offers online management advice. Astor Online solves issues in hours what normally would take days. You can apply for a free demo account.

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