EN
The aim of this paper is to discuss specific form of decision-making process – Landsgemeinde (i.e. open assembly) which is one of the oldest and the simplest forms of direct democracy practiced in two German-speaking cantons: Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden. This assembly democracy survived in Switzerland for more than 600 years and became part of Swiss identity. The article explores both advantages as well as defects of open-air democracy.