The Bürgergemeinde (also Burgergemeinde, Ortsgemeinde, Ortsbürgergemeinde, Tagwen, commune bourgeoise, vischnanca burgaisa; English: citizens' community) is a statutory corporation in public law in Switzerland.
It is, however, possible for a person to not possess bourgeoisie of the municipality from which they originate; laws relating to these matters vary depending on the canton in which the Bürgergemeinde is located.
The political communes or municipalities, the parish and the Bürgergemeinde often include the same area but may be separate depending on the relevant cantonal law.
While in many cantons the political municipalities holds the power to make and implement policy, in some cities the Bürgergemeinde has right to self-government, and can have its own executive council.
It may run hospitals, retirement and youth homes, provide scholarships and support the unemployed, the disabled and addicts.
To cover these tasks, the Bürgergemeinde may collect taxes or interest, or use their community assets (such as fields, farms and woods).
The creation of Helvetic citizenship, which gave equally to citizens of the old towns and their tenants and servants, led to conflict.
The wealthier villagers and urban citizens held rights to forests, common lands and other municipal properties which they did not wish to share with the newly enfranchised, who were generally poor.
The first, the so-called municipality, was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens.
[3] The Federal Constitution of 1874 removed discrimination based on one's place and canton of origin and all male Swiss citizens were granted equal political rights.