The liberal economist Gerhard Schwarz, for many years economics editor of the \u201cNeue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung\u201d and for several years managing director of the think tank Avenir Suisse, has written an excellent book about Switzerland in generally understandable language. It is an example of how identification with the Swiss model is characteristic of the vast majority of the population, regardless of political persuasion.<\/em><\/p>\n The book by the current president of the board of the Progress Foundation is an expression of the conviction that Switzerland\u2019s success, which has lasted for over 150 years, is not primarily due to economic reasons, but is based on the system of pronounced political self-determination. At the same time, this political system \u201cgrants citizens more participation and freedom [\u2026] than any actually existing alternatives\u201d. (p. 13)<\/p>\n \u201cA state built from the bottom up\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The first part, so titled, begins with the subchapter \u201cFuture Needs Provenance\u201d. For \u201cyou cannot preserve an order and develop it further if you do not know on what historical foundations it rests\u201d. (p. 18) One of the most important foundations that has developed in Swiss history is the cooperative principle: \u201cWhat is really special about Switzerland, above all others, is its cooperative self-image.\u201d (p. 29) It is \u201cthis voluntary association from the bottom up, starting with the citizens, through the communes and cantons, to the language regions and the Confederation, that is unique\u201d. In fact, according to Schwarz, the concept of the \u201cConfederation\u201d is \u201cso central that almost everything else is derived from it\u201d. (p. 32) For example, communal autonomy and federalism, the principle of subsidiarity and the militia principle.<\/p>\n As an illustrative example, Gerhard Schwarz explains the understanding of citizenship as communal citizenship: \u201cYou become a citizen of the Swiss Confederation and of a canton by becoming a citizen of a Swiss commune.\u201d Citizenship is not granted by an executive authority, but by the communal parliament or assembly: \u201cThe citizens of the commune decide whether they want to accept someone new into their cooperative or not.\u201d The author mentions that this practice is \u201ccontroversial\u201d today because it does not give the person seeking naturalisation any right to naturalisation despite fulfilling the requirements under federal law. But Swiss citizenship not only confers rights and obligations, it is also \u201can expression of integration into a new homeland\u201d. (pp. 33)<\/p>\n \u201cDirect democracy \u2013 the people in the driver\u2019s seat\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n In the chapter \u201cInstitutional peculiarities\u201d, (semi-)direct* democracy (*part of the decisions are made by parliament) rightly takes first place due to its central importance for the country and the citizens. The direct democratic instruments are also an \u201coutgrowth of the cooperative understanding of the state\u201d. (p. 37) Gerhard Schwarz illustrates the differentiated Swiss organisation of citizens\u2019 voting and electoral rights with vivid descriptions (pp. 37\u201346). Three examples, which should also be of interest abroad, will be highlighted here:<\/p>\n The direct democratic principle is also directly reflected in the elections of parliaments and cantonal and communal executives (see box \u201cCantonal State councillors and parliamentarians receive their mandate directly from the people\u201d).<\/p>\n The \u201cmilitia principle \u2013 participation in the citizens\u2019 state\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Even though it is more difficult to find enough volunteers in many Swiss communes today than it was twenty or thirty years ago, in Switzerland \u201cabout one in three people over the age of 15 still does some kind of voluntary work, i.e. unpaid work for the community\u201d. For the functioning of Swiss communes, civic engagement is, as the author notes, \u201cstill indispensable\u201d, (p. 48). As important examples, he mentions work as a communal councillor (executive), cantonal councillor (legislative), in school or church administration, in social authorities or in the fire brigade. Like direct democracy, the idea of militia stems from the cooperative understanding of the state (p. 50). Thus, the mandate of a local councillor \u2014 except in large cities \u2014 is part-time and is only modestly compensated financially \u2014 one does not become a communal militia councillor to earn good money but to make a contribution to the common good.<\/p>\n Incidentally, the members of the National Council and the Council of States are also \u201cmilitiamen\u201d: although they have almost a full workload and receive corresponding attendance fees, each of them has, as Schwarz writes, \u201ckept one leg in business, ideally in the private sector\u201d (p. 49).<\/p>\n The effects of the militia principle on the relationship between citizens and authorities are inestimable: \u201cMilitia representatives are [\u2026] closer to the citizens, more pragmatic and \u2014 because they are less economically dependent on their mandate \u2014 internally more independent. In short: they are more grounded and closer to the people\u201d (p. 49. The author adds that therefore the trusting in authority respect that, for example, their German neighbours have for the authorities, is unknown to the Swiss\u201d (p. 50).<\/p>\n You can read an example of this in the box on p. 6 \u201cMilitia principle: the citizen in the true sense\u201d.<\/p>\n Remarkable facts about federalism<\/strong><\/p>\n After this look at some of the pillars of the Swiss understanding of the state, which the author brings closer to the reader in a lively and original way, the other contents of the book will only be touched on selectively here, so as not to go beyond the scope of a book review.<\/p>\n Two statements on federalism should nevertheless be singled out. One seems noteworthy to us from the pen of a liberal: \u201cOne can of course ask whether in a globalized, highly labour-divided, mobile and digitized world such small-scale communities are still appropriate [\u2026]. On the contrary, however, I personally consider small, manageable conditions to be a necessary counterweight to the growing complexity of the world\u201d (p. 56). The second statement is the astute observation that the trend towards centralisation is precisely not conducive to Switzerland\u2019s internal cohesion: \u201cOnly federalism down to the level of the communes can hold together a nation characterised by so many and such great differences of religion, culture, language, geography and topography\u201d (p. 59).<\/p>\n In the middle of the world \u2013 and yet unique: When it comes to locating Switzerland in the world, perpetual neutrality is in first place, as it does in Gerhard Schwarz\u2019s book. He endorses the viewpoint of Carl Spitteler, the Swiss Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1919: \u201cIn his judgement, an exaggerated sense of mission in foreign policy is incompatible with neutrality\u201d1 (Schwarz pp. 73). Consequently, Gerhard Schwarz, like many other Swiss, takes the view that candidacy for a seat on the UN Security Council would \u201chardly serve the role of a neutral and mediator\u201d (p. 132). Rather, he argues, Switzerland has a far more useful instrument at its disposal with its tradition of providing its good offices: \u201cInstead of constantly questioning neutrality, it is more advisable to provide ongoing, discreet and efficient proof that such neutrality can benefit world peace and stability\u201d (p. 131).<\/p>\n Switzerland recently proofed this in Geneva, where it made its neutral ground available to the presidents of the two great powers Russia and the USA, so that they could shake hands and talk. It is these small steps that are now required to come closer to the hope of the peoples for a more peaceful world. (See box \u201cSwitzerland isn\u2019t just known for chocolate and army knives\u201d).<\/p>\n Like Good Offices, Gerhard Schwarz acknowledges Switzerland\u2019s active support of the ICRC \u201cone of the greatest institutions Switzerland maintains as a service to the world community, and whose headquarters in Geneva have not least to do with neutrality\u201d (p. 74).<\/p>\n \u201cThe Place in Europe and in the world\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Like numerous Swiss liberals, but also those from all other political corners, Gerhard Schwarz is a staunch opponent of an institutional framework agreement between Switzerland and the EU: \u201cIf Switzerland wants to preserve and develop its Unique Selling Point, which means, its unique political system, it has every reason and every moral justification to move outside the EU, as much as it feels that it is part of Europe.\u201d (p. 85) From an economic point of view, the author \u2013 like the majority of the population, by the way \u2013 considers it reasonable to keep the more than 140 bilateral agreements with the EU alive, but Switzerland must \u201cnot pay any price for them\u201d and also \u201cnot necessarily strive for a permanent deepening and expansion of the treaties with the EU\u201d (p. 84). He points out that \u201cSwitzerland, despite its small size, is an important economic partner of the EU, in many respects number two or three after the USA and China\u201d. (p. 83) A long period without new contracts should therefore be understood \u201cnot as a catastrophe, but as an expression of strategic patience\u201d (p. 84). These are remarkable statements from Gerhard Schwarz.<\/p>\n The author also recalls that Switzerland\u2019s trade \u201cwith the rest of the world\u201d is already on a par with that with the EU and is continuing to develop strongly (p. 87).<\/p>\n A word about the great social importance Gerhard Schwarz dedicates a separate chapter to \u201cSpace for Entrepreneurship\u201d, which, in addition to various assessments from a market economy perspective, also emphasizes the great importance of dual professional education, \u201cwhich is part of Switzerland\u2019s economic and social DNA\u201d. (p. 99) As long-time vocational schoolteachers, we are particularly pleased that the author is defending himself against pressure from the OECD for greater academization. He points out that the Swiss education system \u201cnot only does better justice to the various skills and better exploits the existing educational potential, but also serves social cohesion\u201d. In just a few sentences, he aptly demonstrates the great advantages for individual young people as well as for the Swiss economy and society (p. 100).<\/p>\n \u201cWorking for the future\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n In the chapter \u201cWorking for the future\u201d the author proposes a wide range of reforms to \u201csecure the long-term future viability of the country while preserving individual freedom as much as possible\u201d (p. 111): proposals to the \u201ckey properties\u201d of the direct democracy, to strengthen the militia concept and the non-centralism, for participation in the world in the humanitarian fields of activity.<\/p>\n It goes without saying that Gerhard Schwarz, as a liberal, also focuses on free trade, more competition and less state.<\/p>\n But he does not put economic reforms first, \u201cbecause the freedom of the market is indeed one of Switzerland\u2019s success factors, but not as distinct as the political system is one of its unique selling points\u201d. (p. 112)<\/p>\n This assessment is confirmed by the following report, which was recently read in the daily press: According to the ranking of the \u201cInstitute for Management Development (IMD)\u201d, Switzerland is 2021 \u2013 the year the negotiations with Brussels were broken off! \u2013 the most competitive country in the world. There are a striking number of small countries among the top ten countries. Switzerland has always been in the top five over the past five years. Reasons for this year\u2019s first place include the \u201cworld\u2019s best infrastructure\u201d, the \u201cunsurpassed constitution of public finances\u201d and the \u201cinstitutional framework\u201d of Switzerland.2<\/p>\n An example out of the plethora: In order to promote the participation of broader sections of the population in public life, it is important for Gerhard Schwarz to \u201calways look for people under 35, of retirement age and\/or with a foreign passport\u201d when filling vacant positions. \u201cHowever, it should be crucial to upgrade the militia work.\u201d (pp. 119) The author gives specific suggestions for this:<\/p>\n Strengthening of non-centralism \u2013 importance of the Council of States \u201cFederalism is probably even more at risk in Switzerland than the other younger pillars of the system, such as direct democracy or the militia concept. [\u2026] The creeping tendency towards centralization and a mere enforcement federalism should be put to a halt\u201d, above all by relocating competences from the federal government to the canton and commune level, according to the author (p. 122). One should expressly agree to this assessment.<\/p>\n Two important pillars of non-centralism, which fortunately have endured, are the Council of States and the majority of the cantons. According to the author, the composition of the Council of States (two seats per canton, one seat per half-canton, regardless of the very different population figures) must not be shaken. \u201cReform proposals such as the one to take cities into account in the Council of States [\u2026] aim to undermine federalism because they want to give more weight to the population and the electorate. But that is exactly what federalism does not want. It is a counter-program to democracy, to the principle of \u2018one man, one vote\u2019\u201d. According to the author, the two-chamber system wants to favour the rural regions (p. 123).<\/p>\n The same applies to the majority of the cantons: Its purpose in votes (?) is to \u201cprevent that the majority of the people formed in the urban centres of the Swiss midlands is sweeping over the rest of the country\u201d (p. 123). Today there are proposals to reduce the weight of the rural cantons. Also, Gerhard Schwarz is \u2013 not quite consequently \u2013 not completely averse to such considerations (p. 124). In fact, the majority of the cantons is the far more effective instrument for strengthening federalism than the council of states, because in the former the people speak directly. A consolation for anyone who does not want the majority of the cantons to be diluted: this would not stand a chance in a referendum.<\/p>\n Excellently different<\/strong><\/p>\n We conclude our remarks on this book, which is well worth reading, with Gerhard Schwarz\u2019 recommendation to us Swiss, \u00abto stop constantly quarrelling with the smallness of our own country and to think that salvation lies only in size. Rather, Switzerland should understand and cultivate its cosmopolitanism \u2013 fuelled by multilingualism, small spaces and, above all, smallness \u2013 as a trump card. Switzerland is more global and international than most countries in the world \u2013 it should stay that way\u201d. (p. 149) \u2022<\/p>\n — On the eve of the Biden-Putin meeting of 16 June 2021<\/p>\n \u201cA word about where we are tonight: Geneva, Switzerland. A city that is no stranger to deal making and peace keeping. Everywhere you look in Geneva, there are symbols on what can be accomplished when the world works together. The Ligue of Nations headquarter here after World War I, the Red Cross founded here, and the Geneva Conventions signed here. Switzerland isn\u2019t just known for chocolate and army knives; the Swiss have long been known as being neutral. Geneva is a city that creates the space for diplomacy. United States and Russia have his tree here too. This Ch\u00e2teau [La Grange] is where Ronald Reagan met the leader of the Sovjet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, in 1985. [\u2026] Now, the City of Peace hosts his next historic summit. And tomorrow all eyes here on Geneva, and we\u2019ll be here to witness it, with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Source: @NorahODonnell. CBS News m.w.\/w.w. In his obituary for the recently deceased entrepreneur and politician Ulrich Bremi, former Federal Councillor Kaspar Villiger pays tribute to this \u201ccitizen in the full sense\u201d who \u201crendered outstanding services to our country\u201d. Bremi began his \u201cpicture-book Swiss career\u201d with an apprenticeship as a mechanic, followed by a school-leaving certificate, studies, military service and a career as an officer. He became an entrepreneur and chairman of the board of directors of well-known Swiss companies, at the same time a cantonal councillor and finally a member of the National Council. Kaspar Villiger: \u201cHe became the model of the citizen who put the knowledge and skills he had acquired in his professional life at the disposal of the community [\u2026] for the common good.\u201d For in the Federal Assembly there was a need for \u201cpeople who bring a full rucksack to Berne, and not people who want to pick up a full rucksack in Berne. Ueli Bremi embodied this principle in an exemplary manner.\u201d<\/p>\n Villiger, Kaspar. \u00abDer B\u00fcrger im vollen Sinne\u00bb(“The citizen in the full sense”). m.w.\/w.w. On 18 June, Mario Fehr, member of the Zurich cantonal government, announced that he was leaving the SP (Swiss Social Democrats) because of differences of opinion with the cantonal party leadership. The Swiss uniqueness: because Fehr was elected by the people, he remains in office even without party membership. This is because cantonal voters do not elect a party, but individuals to their government. The five or seven or nine people, depending on the canton, who receive the most votes, are elected. Incidentally, Mario Fehr had the best election result in 2019, which means that he also received many votes from citizens who did not vote for him because of his party affiliation, but because they were content with his previous leadership. Although the party leadership will not nominate him for another period of office, he therefore has good chances if he wants to run again in 2023 as a party independent or for another party.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/i> Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" About the book by Gerhard Schwarz by Marianne and Werner W\u00fcthrich The liberal economist Gerhard Schwarz, for many years economics editor of the \u201cNeue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung\u201d and for several years managing director of the think tank Avenir Suisse, has written an excellent book about Switzerland in generally understandable language. It is an example of how… Read More »Switzerland has a future. On the positive power of individuality<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5294"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5297,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294\/revisions\/5297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\nSwiss neutrality<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nof the dual professional education<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe revitalisation of the militia concept<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nand the majority of the Cantons (\u201cSt\u00e4ndemehr\u201d)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n1<\/sup> Spitteler, Carl. \u00abUnser Schweizer Standpunkt\u00bb. Vortrag vom 14. Dezember 1914
\n2<\/sup> Fuster, Thomas. \u00abDie Schweiz ist erstmals wettbewerbsst\u00e4rkstes Land der Welt\u00bb. In: Neue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung vom 18.6.2021<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/csm_17_Gerhard_Schwarz_ff8e7c1f9a.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pf.annen.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/csm_BT-Gerhard_Schwarz-Die_Schweiz_hat_Zukunft_ed2142416c.jpg\")
\n(Columbia Broadcasting System) on 15 June 2021<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nNeue Z\u00fcrcher Zeitung of 19 June 2021<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n