Halbkanton

A Halbkanton, meaning "half-canton" in German, is a term used to describe a former political entity within the Swiss Confederation that, despite being a full member of the Confederacy, possessed fewer rights and responsibilities than a standard canton. Historically, these entities were often created from parts of larger cantons, typically for reasons of religious or political division.

The most prominent examples of Halbkantone are Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, and Basel-Landschaft and Basel-Stadt. These pairs were once single cantons but were divided, with each resulting half-canton retaining its own distinct identity and certain specific governance structures. For instance, when voting in the Council of States, the Swiss federal chamber representing the cantons, each Halbkanton typically casts only half a vote.

While the term "Halbkanton" is still commonly used, especially in everyday language and historical discussions, the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1999 officially recognizes all these entities as full cantons. This constitutional change aimed to modernize the language and reflect the equal standing of all cantons within the modern Swiss federal system, even though some historical distinctions in representation, like the voting power in the Council of States, persist. The concept of a Halbkanton highlights the complex and evolving nature of Swiss federalism and its historical compromises.