Which of these is a task of the Confederation?
Was ist eine Aufgabe des Bundes?
Correct answer: B
- A water supplyWasserversorgung
- B monetary policyGeldpolitik
- C policingPolizeiwesen
- D organisation of state schoolsOrganisation der Volksschule
Why
Switzerland has one common currency, the franc. That is why monetary policy is a matter for the Confederation; the National Bank carries it out.
Common mistakes
- C: policing
- Policing is mainly a matter for the cantons and municipalities. Each canton has its own cantonal police.
- D: organisation of state schools
- State schools are organised by the cantons and municipalities, not by the Confederation.
- A: water supply
- Water supply is usually a task of the municipalities.
Topic
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.
Confederation
1
Foreign policy · Monetary policy · Customs · Social security
Canton
26 = 20 + 6
Halbkanton: former name for the 6 cantons with only half a cantonal vote, for example Basel-Stadt.
Municipality
≈ 2,200 (2021)
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.
How the state works
Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 12 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.