It is first discussed why a fiscal equalisation system is necessary for Switzerland. The reason for this are asymmetries, mainly in size, but also in location, between the different cantons. Then, the current Swiss situation is presented, before the new system is described which effectively consists of two parts: the first one newly assigns the different tasks to the different governmental levels and organises the cooperation between the national and the cantonal governments as well as among the cantonal governments, while the second one reorganises the financial flows between the different levels. Then, the results of the just expired first period of the new system from 2008 to 2011 are presented, as well as the changes decided for the second, new period, which will last from 2012 to 2015. Today, we can assess that the system has reached some of its objectives, in particular, that the financial autonomy of the cantons has been strengthened and that they have sufficient minimal financial equipment. But contrary to the aims differences in the fiscal potential of the cantons did not decrease, they even increased during the last four years.
In 2007, the Wall Street Journal published an article claiming that each execution saves more than 70 lives. This example is used to show how easy it is, using simple or advanced econometric techniques, to produce results that do or do not support the deterrence hypothesis. Moreover, we also point to some puzzles which have not been satisfactorily solved so far. We then present a critical survey of the papers published in the last ten years. It is shown how simple changes can produce quite different results using the same data. Finally, we draw some conclusions about the usefulness of statistical arguments in policy debates, but also on the moral questions involved in this particular debate.
