Switzerland

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of Swiss federal organizations. Following an introduction to the different types of organizations with a special emphasis on agencies, the historical development and mechanisms of delegating power to the various organizational units will be discussed. The chapter focuses on their autonomy and the control exercised by the parent departments. It concludes with a discussion of recent debates and reforms. The empirical data have been collected using a survey conducted in all organizational units on the federal level.¹ A document analysis and interviews with top-level bureaucrats enhance this analysis.