Who runs Switzerland? Not just one, but thousands

Switzerland is a federal state. In practice, this means that political power is shared by the Confederation, the 26 cantons and around 2,100 communes. Each level has its own special role to play in governing. 

Every canton has its own constitution, parliament, government and courts. About a fifth of communes have their own parliament, in particular the cities. The cantons and communes have authority over a wide range of matters (e.g. schools, hospitals, tax and policing) and a great deal of autonomy. The federal government only takes on tasks that the cantons and communes cannot manage alone. 

Federalism was one of the founding principles of the Swiss Confederation in 1848. It allows the different aspects of Switzerland, with its four national languages and large geographical differences to coexist.

Source - Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives