Do The Rich Create Challenges For Swiss Democracy?

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) What role do rich people play in democracy? In the face of growing global inequality, even wealthy people are asking themselves this question. This content was published on November 4, 2026 - 09:00 9 minutes

As a reporter I cover developments in democracy where the Swiss perspective becomes relevant. I am Swiss and have long been fascinated by the way public discussions shape society.

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Deutsch de Schweizer Demokratie und Reichtum: Wann wird ein grosses Portemonnaie zum Problem? Original Read more: Schweizer Demokratie und Reichtum: Wann wird ein grosses Portemonnaie zum Pro Français fr Richesse et démocratie: à quel moment un portefeuille bien garni devient-il un problème? Read more: Richesse et démocratie: à quel moment un portefeuille bien garni devient-il un probl

Rich people and democracy are incompatible – at least, that is the message delivered on stage in Geld ist Klasse (Money is Class) at Theatre Chur in eastern Switzerland. The play is a plea for society to take a more critical view of“over-rich” people and for higher taxes on the wealthiest 1%.

Among those making this demand on stage during the play is the Austrian Marlene Engelhorn. She is the heir of her grandmother, the late billionaire Traudl Engelhorn, who lived in western Switzerland. Marlene Engelhorn is known for giving away €25 million (CHF23.4 million) intended for the common good. The money went to a citizens' assembly, whose members were selected by lot and decided how it should be spent.

After the performance, she says on stage“over-rich” people who see their wealth as a problem can get in touch with her.

To her, justice and democracy are at stake. The“over-richExternal link”– people wealthy enough not to need to work, according to economist Martin Schürz's definition – undermine social trust, she believes.

One person, one vote: that is the principle of democracy. Is it a problem if one person owns a fortune?

External Content A million new millionaires

There are ever more millionaires worldwide, while inequality is growing. UBS's Global Wealth ReportExternal link described 2025 as an“extraordinary year”: global private wealth grew by more than a tenth, and one million people became millionaires. At the same time, however, median wealth fell“in most markets”, according to the report. This points to a“growing divide between the wealthiest and the broader population”.

Political developments are also causing concern, particularly in the United States, where Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to Republican election campaigns.

Oxfam's Global Inequality Report 2026External link therefore presents“oligarchy or democracy” as opposing alternatives. The phenomenon of the“richest influencing and controlling politics” is not new, the report says, but“events in the US in 2025” made it clearer than ever before.

In an interview with Swissinfo, Engelhorn also points to the“billionaire bubble of Silicon Valley” and its“blatant interference in the political sphere of the United States” as the clearest example of the imbalance in representative democracies caused by wealthy people who can afford“an army of lobbyists”. Her proposed solution is to tax the rich more heavily.

More More Why calls to 'tax the rich' are loud, popular – and rarely successful

This content was published on Nov 30, 2025 The idea of clamping down on the rich often enjoys large public support. In practice, it rarely succeeds – even when citizens can vote directly on it. Why not?

Read more: Why calls to 'tax the rich' are loud, popular – and rarely succe

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