A political system includes the structures, processes, and activities by which a nation governs itself. A country's political system derives from the history and culture of its people. Factors such as population, age and race composition, and per capita income influence a country's political system. Swiss citizens vote directly on many national issues. Participation occurs when people voice their opinions, vote, and show general approval or disapproval of the political system.
Wide participation occurs when people who are capable of influencing the political system do so.
Narrow participation occurs when few people participate. The world's two extreme political systems are anarchism and totalitarianism . Pluralism falls in-between with the belief that both private and public groups play important roles in a nation's political activities. A democracy is a political system in which government leaders are elected directly by the wide participation of the people or their representatives. Allow citizens to nominate individuals from their groups to represent their political needs and views.