Nepal, July 31 -- My visits to the Swiss Parliament in Bern over recent years left me with many unforgettable impressions, but none stood out more than the symbolism enshrined beneath its grand central dome. Standing in that historic hall, one looks not merely at classical architecture, but at the very visual soul of a constitutional democracy.

At the centre of the dome stand the Three Confederates, recalling the historic 1291 oath that founded the Swiss Confederation. Flanking them are four armed figures representing Switzerland's national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Surrounding this central assembly are the official coats of arms, flags, and distinctive emblems of all twenty-six Swiss cantons, woven directly into t...