Why are almost ruled all the Swiss cities on the left?

Earlier, as the Swiss cities were a Problem, summed up with the abbreviation AAA: the poor, the Old, foreigners. Earlier, as the Swiss cities were the juggernauts of the industrial era. Steaming, smelly, cramped, hectic. But they were also Promises for possible wealth, and advancement. In the post-war period, the boom years, broke out in Switzerland, the great social peace. It was a time of great reconciliation, and in the cities, which were ruled up in the 30s, often red, took the Civic back in command. "From the workers, the petty bourgeois were", described the social geographer Michael Hermann and Heiri Leuthold fifteen years ago, in the "Tages-Anzeiger". But that was the beginning of the end of the bourgeois-dominated cities. The democratization of mobility has allowed the middle class to realize the dream from the Hüsli in the countryside. In the cities, the AAAs remained. It was left-wing politics, which provided answers to their problems, for example in the area of drugs. At the same time, the professional and social Milieu has changed in the cities and a new urban middle class emerged.

This had political consequences. The cities were left again. Faster to those places where there were traditionally many state employees and knowledge workers (such as Bern). Slower at those places where the industry played a considerable role (such as in Basel).

The result remained the same: The left-green areas in the cities became bigger and bigger. In return, the agglomerations moved around the cities to the right. The major fractures in the political System – whether in the climate issue, and the policy on Europe or the correct assessment of the company – run today, all between the city and the country. And don't forget the Röstigraben!

The consequences for the political debate and the alignment of the parties. The left-Green provides solutions for the city. The right solutions for the country. Away. In 2004, Hermann and Leuthold wrote: "The ideological alienation between the core city and the surrounding countryside promises at first glance, little Good for the future of large agglomerations."

fifteen years later, we have to say, The prognosis was even still somewhat. Switzerland is today, polarized as rarely in recent history has to do with the clear left dominance in the cities and the right slip in the periphery. (Editorial Tamedia)

Created: 08.03.2019, 14:15 Uhr