Which level of government is responsible for the military?
Welche Staatsebene ist für das Militär zuständig?
Correct answer: A
- A ConfederationBund
- B CantonKanton
- C DistrictBezirk
- D MunicipalityGemeinde
Why
The army defends all of Switzerland. That is why the Confederation is responsible for the military.
Common mistakes
- B: Canton
- The cantons now only have small tasks in military matters. The army is run by the Confederation.
- D: Municipality
- Municipalities have no army. But they share responsibility, for example, for civil protection.
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 62 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.