The effects of direct democracy and city size on political participation. The Swiss case

This chapter discusses how personal resources and context are shaping political participation in Switzerland. Political participation is measured here by means of several indicators: first, the degree of involvement in political parties; second, the use of direct democracy; third, the participation in non-conventional but still legal political actions; fourth, the participation in non-conventional and illegal political actions; fifth, general interest towards different levels of politics, and sixth and finally, people’s decisions to get politically involved or to engage in civic-organized or informal networks. These forms of political participation can be perceived as the consequence of individual – internal – resources, and environmental – external – constraints and opportunities.