Tasks of the Confederation

In federalism each level has its own tasks. The Confederation only does what the Federal Constitution expressly allows it to do. These are mainly tasks that must be the same for the whole country. All other tasks belong to the cantons. The cantons pass some tasks on to the municipalities.

Important tasks of the Confederation are: foreign policy, that is relations with other states; the military and the internal and external security of the country; customs at the border; money and monetary policy; social security (for example the AHV); and the protection of the environment. The Swiss National Bank conducts monetary policy on behalf of the Confederation. It sets the key interest rates itself and independently.

The cantons and municipalities, on the other hand, are responsible for state schools, the police, hospitals, building regulations and the election of cantonal judges. The municipalities often take care of water supply, the fire service and parks. The Confederation does not produce cars, does not run its own hospitals and does not publish newspapers. Nor does it organise the work in companies.

Memory aid: What happens at the border or applies to the whole country (army, customs, foreign policy, franc) is done by the Confederation. What happens on your doorstep (school, police, water, fire service) is done by the canton and the municipality.