ABSTRACT
With these words the 22-year-old law student Andreas Brunner 3 introduced a hectographed brochure which he sent to a select group of influential government, business and military leaders, including Federal Councillor von Steiger and General Guisan. In this brochure, Brunner outlined the idea of a 'popular survey', a national public opinion poll in which all recipients of ration stamps would be encouraged to express their wishes for the country's future. In this manner, he wanted to help overcome the political apathy he felt he detected in the general public. At the same time, a number of responsible men would draft a new federal constitution. The results of the national public opinion survey and the draft constitution would then guide the 500 men he considered the nation's most important in conducting a so-called'elite discussion' to iron out political differences and prepare a new national consensus. Brunner was convinced that the public at large would welcome the result of this'elite discussion', thanks to the rekindled political interest, and that it could serve as a blueprint for future action in the post-war era.
