Globi and Democracy
by Eliane Perret
What is democracy? Who invented it? How does it work? Not only for Globi (see box), but for many children (and adults), our direct democracy is associated with many questions and uncertainties. “Magic formula”, “separation of powers”, “sovereignty”, “federalism”, “concordance”? ... What do these terms mean? The book “Globi and Democracy” provides entertaining and easy-to-understand answers to these questions and explains what gets to the heart of our country. “How can you get children interested in politics?” Marc Zollinger, the author of the book, was asked in an interview. “By telling them a story and taking them on a journey through Switzerland with a familiar and popular children’s comic character,” was his answer. The result is a non-fiction book, illustrated by Samuel Glättli, in the well-presented Globi Wissen series.1
The first edition was published in spring 2018. It quickly sold out and was reprinted in 2023 – the year of the 175th anniversary of the Swiss Federal Constitution – revised and supplemented with current facts and a focus on how we interact with each other.
A journey through Swiss democracy
Readers accompany Globi on his journey of discovery through direct democracy. He is supported by his companion Helvetia, who symbolises Switzerland and explains everything important to him. She travels with Globi through Switzerland, taking him to important places and introducing him to people who were significant in the history of our country and the development of Swiss democracy. We visit the Rütli meadow and meet William Tell, then travel on to Aarau, our country’s first capital. This is followed by a visit to today’s Federal Palace in Bern. Finally, we learn interesting facts about the Landsgemeinde – the most direct form of democracy – as well as the significance and purpose of municipal assemblies. Helvetia arranges interviews for Globi with real and fictional government officials, who answer his questions about Swiss democracy. Together with Globi, we learn how our system of government is structured and what is needed for peaceful coexistence in a direct democracy. Zollinger’s book clarifies in a varied and entertaining way what makes our country so unique and fundamentally different from other democracies.
For children and adults
“Globi is a kind of ambassador for democracy. He builds a bridge between children and abstract concepts,” said Moria Zürrer of the New Helvetic Society (which commissioned the book) in an interview. “The book about democracy is not only intended for children, but also for their parents,” Zürrer continued, because “it is not enough to learn about democracy from books; democracy must be lived every day. In order to participate in democratic processes, you have to know about democracy and understand its rules.”2 That’s why it’s best for children to be accompanied by an adult on their “journey through Switzerland” with Globi and Helvetia. This gives everyone the opportunity to reflect on what previous generations have achieved and how we can preserve this globally unique gem. For teachers, the book can serve as an important source of ideas for lessons on Swiss history, far removed from ideology or contemporary narratives. Knowledge of Swiss history, along with discussions about what it takes to live together in peace, provide an important educational foundation and are significant in the formation of a child’s identity and emotional development. Such encounters and discussions can become milestones in children’s development: they feel taken seriously, realise that people believe in them, and sense that their contribution to community will be important now and in the future. •
1 Zollinger, Marc; Glättli, Samuel. Globi und die Demokratie (Globi and Democracy). Globi Verlag, Zürich 2023. Translations into the other national languages and English are planned.
2 Beti, Luca. Globi erklärt Kindern die Demokratie (Globi explains democracy to children). https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/kultur/deardemocracy_globi-erklaert-kindern-die-demokratie/44399144
Robert Lips (1912–1973), the inventor of Globi
ep. When Robert Lips created an advertising poster for “Schaffhauser Wolle” in 1932, Ignatius Karl Schiele, advertising director at the Globus department store, took notice of him. Schiele gave Lips the opportunity to design a poster to mark the 25th anniversary of Globus. This marked the beginning of a long-standing cooperation between the two. Although Lips had studied architecture at the Technical College in Winterthur, he subsequently turned his attention to his artistic passion for painting and drawing, caricatures and sculptures. It is little known that he also created cartoons for magazines such as Zürcher Illustrierte, Sport and Nebelspalter (a Swiss satirical magazine), as well as illustrations for books that were important in Switzerland. In 1932, Lips and Schiele jointly developed the idea of Globi as an advertising character for the department store. After many drafts, Globi was “born” as we know him today: half human, half parrot, with a yellow beak, beret and checked trousers. With Globi, Lips had created a Swiss classic that has undergone hardly any visual changes in the 90 years since its creation – a testament to the quality of Robert Lips’ artistic work.
From 1938 onwards, at least one new Globi book was published each year, with four-line verses accompanying each illustration on the opposite page. Globi became a favourite for many children. Even in 1943, during the war, 90,000 Globi books were sold. In 1966, “Globi und Robi und ihr unterhaltsamer Zoo” (Globi and Robi and their entertaining zoo) was published, the 33rd and officially last volume that Robert Lips drew for Globi Publishers.
It was not easy to find a successor who could take over Robert Lips’ drawing style. Illustrators faced the challenge of familiarising themselves with Robert Lips’ drawing style. They mastered this task, and today only experts can spot differences in the design of Globi. He remains a cross-generational figure and the protagonist of countless adventures that children can experience with him. By February 2025, 99 picture books had been published. They have been among the best-selling children’s books for several generations; to date, over 9 million books have been sold. Since January 2007, Globi Publishers has been part of Orell Füssli Publishers.
Sources: Robert Lips' homepage; https://www.cyranos.ch/lips01.htm
and homepage of the Globi Publishers; https://globi.ch/ueber-globi