To prevent a concentration of power Switzerland, has three independent powers: the legislative power, the executive power, and the judiciary power. In Canton Glarus, the following authorities assume these tasks: legislative power by the Cantonal Assembly (Landsgemeinde) and Cantonal Parliament (Landrat) (60 members, elected by the public every four years); the executive power by the Cantonal Government (Regierungsrat) (5 members, elected by the public every four years); the judiciary power by various courts at the level of the canton.
The communities also have a legislative power in the community assembly (Gemeindeversammlung) and an executive power in the community council (Gemeinderat). The national government (7 members) is called the Federal Council (Bundesrat). On the national level there are various courts. The Federal Tribunal is the highest instance where, for example, cantonal rulings can be appealed against.