IRE201:CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS IN THE GERMAN-SPEAKING COUNTRIES Fall 2019 Session 9: Switzerland Maya Hadar, PhD § Facts and Figures § Political System § Economy § Foreign Policy § Referendums and Initiatives § Switzerland and the EU Switzerland2 Facts and Figures § Landlocked alpine country in Western Europe § 41,285 square kilometres (9 times smaller than Germany) § Population of over 8,5 million § Religion § Roman Catholic 47.6% § Protestant 44.3% § other 8.1% 3 Facts and Figures § Land borders: Austria, France, Germany & Liechtenstein § Bern: Administrative capital § Lausanne: Judicial center § Swiss Franc Schweizerfranken § 1 EURO = 1.10 Francs 4 Numbeo § Agricultural land 36.9%, settlements and urban areas 6.8%, unproductive land- 21.3% Facts and Figures § Switzerland’s cities have emerged as international centers of industry and commerce § Due to its long-lived stability + tradition of political and military neutrality, Switzerland (Geneva) was selected as headquarters for several governmental and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including many associated with the UN 5 § 1863 => Red Cross founded in Switzerland, still has its institutional center in the country The Swiss Cantons § In France, the canton is a territorial division rather than a genuine unit of local government § A convenient administrative subdivision for purposes of elections, tax collection, and the gendarmerie § In Switzerland, ‘canton’ is the name given to each of the 23 states comprising the Swiss Confederation § Three cantons (Unterwalden, Basel, and Appenzell) are subdivided into demi-cantons (half cantons) which function as full cantons 6 6 The Swiss Cantons § Thus at times we refer to the 26 states/cantons of Switzerland § Each canton (and half cantons) has its own constitution, legislature, executive and judiciary 7 7 The Swiss Cantons 8 8 Linguistic Diversity § 3 official ones: German, French, Italian § The German language spoken in Germany and Austria isn’t the same as "Swiss-German” § 4 national languages: § Swish German, French, Italian, Romansh (like Latin) 9 Linguistic Diversity English German French Italian Romansh Switzerland Schweiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra Year das Jahr l'année l'anno igl onn Noon der Mittag midi il mezzogiorno il miezdi Monday Montag Lundi lunedì gliendischdis Breakfast das Frühstück le petit déjeuner la colazione l'ensolver 10 Foreign Trade § The Swiss economy is extremely open to foreign trade: 118.9% of its GDP (2017) § The EU is Switzerland's largest trade partner, accounting for two-thirds of its total foreign trade § Switzerland has a large trade surplus § Exports of goods and services account for nearly two-thirds of the country’s GDP 11 Foreign Trade12 § Main exports => Gems (26.2%), pharmaceuticals (24.2%), machinery (8%), clocks and watches (7%) § Main imports => Gems and precious metals (31%), pharmaceuticals (10.7%), machinery and computers (7.2%), and vehicles (5.6%) Foreign Trade Switzerland's most important economic partners in 2018 by volume of trade 13 Multicultural Switzerland Territorial Heterogeneity § The country is divided into 5 zones and 23 cantons § Linguistic Diversity 14 Multicultural Switzerland Religious Diversity Religious orders do NOT overlap with linguistic orders 15 § The ’capital of direct democracy’ The Alps § Greatest mountain range system of Europe § Stretching from Austria in the East to France in the West § Swiss Alps are the central portion of the mountain range § Known for its cheese and chocolates Facts and Figures16 Swiss Chocolate – Fun Facts § 1697 => Heinrich Escher, mayor of Zurich, was introduced to chocolate in Brussels and brought it home, where it was discreetly consumed § 1722 => The Zurich Council banned it (was considered an aphrodisiac thus unfit for virtuous citizens § 1792 => The first chocolate shop in Switzerland opened in Bern § Swiss eat more chocolate than anyone in world § 2018 => av. 19.4 pounds per capita (12.3 kg in 2001) § Biggest markets for Swiss chocolate producers: Germany, UK, France, and Italy 17 Natural Disasters/Hazards 25.01.1946, Wallis earthquake Io=8 Mw=6.1 23.10.2002 - Randa rockfall, Wallis 7.02.2003, Snow avalanche, Walenstadt,St. Gallen 01.06.1994, Landslide Falli Hölli, Freiburg 2003, Forestfire Loèche, Wallis 08.1987, Floods Reuss Valley, Uri Bern 2005 Brienz 2005 18 Federalism § Federalism gives the Cantons political autonomy § Allowed rural areas, different religious and language groups to govern themselves and to influence federal decision-making § Requirement of majority of Cantons for constitutional amendments protects small rural (mostly Catholic) Cantons § However, federalism only protects minorities representing a political majority in a sub-national unit 19 Political System Federal Government Conceptual work and legislation Supervision of implementation Cantons (26) Implementation of federal regulations Municipalities (< 3000) Implementation of federal and cantonal regulations 20 Political System § The Legislative (Bicameral parliament) § The Executive (Federal Council, a collegial government) Federal Assembly 246 Members Council of States 46 Members National Council 200 Members 21 Political System § National Council => 200 deputies are elected according to a standardized procedure, each canton representing an electoral district. The largest cantons have many deputies (ZH with 34 and BE with 26), whereas the smallest cantons have only one § Council of States => Over time, there have been changes to how the 46 deputies are elected. Gradually been taken from the cantonal legislatures and given to the people § Popular election: they are not “real” cantonal representatives § Need for greater cantonal representation => 1993: Conference of Cantonal Governments 22 § The Federal Council, the executive => a collegial government of 7 members § Derives from the French First Republic, more precisely the “Constitution de l’An III” HEAD OF STATE PRIME MINISTER GOVERNMENT HEAD OF THE ADMINISTRATION Political System23 § Zauberformel, formule magique § Arithmetic formula for dividing the seven executive seats of the council between the four ruling parties § Its collegial nature allows minorities to be represented in the highest bodies of the Swiss polity Political System § Cantons are not directly represented in the Federal Council § ‘The Council represents the geographical and linguistic diversity of the country’ § 1959 => the Federal Assembly opted for a political composition, known as the “magic formula” 24 Economy § About two third of the area of Switzerland is covered with forests, lakes and mountains § Switzerland has no mineral resources => must import, process and resell them as products § Strong economy (banking + finance) § Ranked as most competitive in the world by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 25 Economic Sectors 1. Agriculture => Less than 10% of the population is employed in the sector, strongly supported by the government § Production of Swiss farmers does not fulfill the needs of the people, Switzerland must rely on imported goods 2. Industry => About 40% of the population is employed in the industry, trade and handicraft. Significant export market § Machine and metal industry, watch industry, textile industry 3. Services => More than 50% of the population is employed in this sector § Includes banking, assurances, tourism etc. § Banking is one of the most important businesses in Switzerland 26 The Swiss Armed Forces § Neutrality doesn’t mean NO military => Armed neutrality § The Swiss cannot enter military alliances unless they are attacked § They must not take sides in international conflicts § Cannot give right of transit to foreign forces § Conscription => Compulsory enlistment of Swiss men to national service § Ages 20 to 42, soldiers keep their arms at home (automatic rifles/Pistols) § February 2011: the Swiss rejected an initiative aimed at creating a ban on keeping army-issue guns at home central gun registry and a strict licensing system for the use of firearms 27 The Swiss Armed Forces § Guns are part of the Swiss heritage, many associate them with historical battles rather than with killings and crime § Many cave-like buildings have been built in mountains to serve military purposes: hold arms, supplies for crisis + fighter planes 28 The Political System § Direct democracy § The system of initiative and referendum is a modern form of popular assembly, suitable for a large number of people and decisions § Laws are created in four steps: 1. Draft by the administration 2. Consultation of federal states, political parties, entrepreneurs, unions, other interested groups 3. Parliamentary debate and final version passed 4. Possibility of a referendum Referendum is Latin for ‘referral’ or ‘referring’ of a certain matter to the public for their vote 29 Referendums § Referendums have the effect of safeguarding the political process by blocking/delaying amendments adopted by parliament/the government § A referendum is only called if enough signatures are collected, unless the legislation 30 involves an amendment to the constitution initiated by the government, or a proposal for Switzerland to sign a major international agreement Referendums & Initiatives § Amendments to the constitution => Mandatory referendum § Require a double majority: National popular vote at the polls + win most of the cantons § Amendments to legislation => Optional referendum § Can be brought if citizens are able to gather 50,000 signatures within 100 days to contest a new law. The law is then passed or rejected by a simple majority of voters § Requests to change the constitution => Initiative 31 Referendums32 Initiatives § Federal popular initiative (Eidgenössische Volksinitiative, Initiative populaire fédérale) is an instrument of direct democracy in Switzerland § Allows citizens to propose changes to the Swiss Federal Constitution § Must be launched by a group of at least seven citizens § Require a double majority § 1893 => First initiative under the current system was accepted 33 Initiatives34 § Popular initiatives are often the most controversial, headline-making referendums § Recent initiatives: § A proposal to introduce a universal basic monthly income of around $2,000 per person (rejected) § Cutting military spending (rejected) § Limiting the foreign population to 18% (rejected) § Banning the production and sale of absinthe (accepted) § Most are rejected, BUT § The concerns they address give rise to broad debate § Eventually translated (partially) into new laws § Initiatives open the political system => Any political group may influence the political agenda Initiatives Statistics35 Important Decision- Foreign Affairs § December 6, 1992: Switzerland refuses to join the European Economic Area § Citizens yes: 49.7%; Cantons yes: 6 2/2 yes; turnout: 78.7% § March 3, 2002: Switzerland joins the UN (first vote on March 16, 1986, “no”) § Citizens yes: 54.6%; Cantons yes: 11 2/2 yes; turnout: 58.4% 36 Cultural Diversity § In recent years, the number of foreigners in Switzerland increased at a faster rate than the number of Swiss natives § More than 2.1 million foreigners in Switzerland, 24.9% of the total population 37 § Babies born to foreign citizens in Switzerland do NOT automatically get Swiss citizenship § Largest diaspora within Switzerland => Italians, Germans, Portuguese and French 38 Cultural Diversity The Minaret Controversy § Construction of minarets in Switzerlans has been subject to legal and political controversy during the 2000’s § November 2009 referendum => a constitutional amendment banning the construction of new minarets was approved by 57.5% § Only 4/26 cantons, mostly in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, opposed the initiative 39 Tall towers that feature on mosques to call the faithful to prayer The Minaret Controversy40 1992: Joining the European Economic Area41 1994: Toll Motorway42 2013: Initiative to Send Back Criminal Foreigners43 Switzerland and the EU § Tradition of neutrality (WWI & WWII) § Self-imposed § Permanent § Armed § Nationalistic government not interested in ceding sovereignty § Economic policies are designed to protect local industries (esp. agriculture) from foreign competition § Policy of signing bilateral agreements with the EU rather than joining it 44 Costs of Staying Out § Export problems § Access to EU markets is not guaranteed § Inflation problems § Europeans nervous about the Euro due to expansion of the EU invest in Swiss Francs, inflating the value of the currency and restricting Swiss exports § Capital flight § High construction costs, expensive labor, skill shortages already make investment in Switzerland unattractive § Several multinational corporations, such as Roche, Sulzer and Alusuisse, have frozen planned investment projects in Switzerland 45 Costs of Staying Out § Large Swiss companies, including Nestle, are shifting activities out of Switzerland in fear of discrimination by other nations § Already four out of five employees of the top 15 Swiss companies work in other countries § Scientific information lag § EU scientific exchange programs accept Swiss citizens only if they fail to fill such exchanges with persons from EU countries § Accumulated bilateral agreements and cooperation may create de-facto incorporation in the EU for Switzerland 46 Conflict Resolution in Switzerland § Before 1848 => Not so peaceful § Four classical cleavages: § Religion: Catholics- Protestants § Languages: German-French (Italian and Romansch) § Economy I: Urban regions- rural regions § Economy II: Class conflict: capitalist-worker interest § How was it possible to resolve deep societal conflicts in a peaceful way? Political power sharing + direct democracy 47 Important to Note48 Next Session... § Switzerland II § Direct Democracy 49 50 Thank You For Your Attention! Questions???