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Switzerland as a Tiny State – a Model of Obsolescence or Success?

What makes a small state? Which paths are actually feasible for a small state like Switzerland? How much independence is reasonable and possible? What does it mean for Switzerland if Europe tilts politically?

In this book, an interdisciplinary group of authors examine the phenomenon of the small state and present thought-provoking ideas and alternative solutions. A compelling and urgent contribution to the current debate on Switzerland’s position on the European continent and in the world.

 

Publisher:
Konrad Hummler
Franz Jaeger
Authors:
Carl Baudenbacher
Thomas Bieger
Mathias Binswanger
Micheline Calmy-Rey
Reiner Eichenberger
Heinz Hauser
Karen Horn
Martin Janssen
Beat Kappeler
Hermann Lübbe
Daniel J. Mitchell
Christoph Schaltegger
Urs Schoettli
Gerhard Schwarz
Rainer J. Schweizer
Hans-Werner Sinn
Michael Wohlgemuth
Stefan C. Wolter
Publisher:
NZZ Libro (E-Book)
Year of publication:
2017
ISBN:
978-3-03810-306-6
Price:
28.80 Fr.
Buy this book
Media coverage
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Die Schweiz Schweiz sein lassen
Gerhard Schwarz, Thema Vorarlberg, 07/10/2017
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Alle gewinnen, wenn die Schweiz die Schweiz bleibt
Gerhard Schwarz, Basler Zeitung, 16/08/2017
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“Die Schweiz darf selbstbewusster sein – sie muss
Konrad Hummler, Swissinfo, 07/07/2017
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Le «petit Etat» suisse, un modèle dépassé?
Emmanuel Garessus, Le Temps, 28/06/2017
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«Ich bin für die freie Zuwanderung von Ideen»
Franz Jäger, Migros-Magazin, 26/06/2017
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TalkTäglich, TeleZüri, 28.06.2017 Kleinstaat Schweiz – Auslauf- oder Erfolgsmodell?
Interview mit Konrad Hummler, Ludwig von Mises Institut Deutschland, 23/06/2017
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Fast die Hälfte unserer Wirtschaft ist nicht in Europa
Konrad Hummler, Blick, 21/06/2017
Content
Migration, Liberalism, and Property Self-Determined and Globally Connected The Significance of Federalism
Chapter Excerpts

Hans-Werner Sinn in Conversation with Franz Jäger

Hans-Werner Sinn discusses fundamental economic considerations regarding migration in Europe with Franz Jäger. Given the aging population, it is often argued that immigration secures social welfare systems: immigrants pay taxes and contributions, e.g., to social security, thus filling the funding gap when the baby boomer generation retires. Sinn believes it is highly questionable whether immigration results in a net gain for the native population of a country. Statistics show that a majority of the migrant population in Europe earns below-average incomes and is thus a net recipient of state benefits.

Sinn argues that social welfare, free migration, and the social inclusion of immigrants are contradictions: embedding the migrant population into the welfare state creates an economically irrational pull effect. Migrants naturally try to move to the most generous welfare states. Therefore, restrictions and stricter rules must be imposed here; otherwise, the burdens of the welfare state cannot be borne, and the general level of prosperity would decline. For this reason, freedom of movement is also not a convincing concept. According to Sinn, free movement of people only leads to a convergence of living standards within the EU but does not bring about wealth growth. Additionally, migration flows undermine property guarantees. There is not only private property but also property in club goods that a community has built up over decades or even centuries. These club goods include not only tangible assets such as buildings, roads, or state enterprises but also intangible assets in the form of institutions and values. If the population of a community is seen as the legitimate owner of these club goods, it is their right, and with a view to peaceful coexistence, even their duty, to determine who, other than themselves, can access these club goods and under what conditions. This is actually incompatible with complete freedom of movement within the EU.

The full text is available here as a PDF:

Hans-Werner Sinn im Gespräch mit Franz Jaeger

Hermann Lübbe

Philosopher Hermann Lübbe analyzes globalization trends in his contribution to our book Kleinstaat Schweiz – Auslauf- oder Erfolgsmodell? (“Small State Switzerland – Outdated or Successful Model?”). Lübbe describes the evolution of our society and its technological achievements as a “history of network densification.” Initially, transportation and information networks expanded; today, this development primarily occurs in data networks. Such modernization processes do not equalize but differentiate. While the degree of networking and freedom of information access increases, the diverse use of these freedoms results in even more varied outcomes. Precisely because the world is becoming more interconnected, human needs for self-determination and autonomy grow. This is reflected in the development of an increasingly pluralistic landscape of states and growing federalism. Today, there are many more sovereign states than 100 or 200 years ago. Moreover, the remaining large states are mostly federalist in structure. The European Union and its integration efforts seem, in this context, somewhat anachronistic, like a futile resistance against an inevitable trend toward pluralization. Therefore, those who insist on national self-determination are not outdated; on the contrary, the backward-looking and future-averse are those who try to prevent pluralism and autonomy by all means.

The full text is available here as a PDF:

Selbstbestimmt weltverbunden

Rainer J. Schweizer

At the beginning of each year, the number of municipalities decreases in various cantons due to municipal mergers. This invites reflection on municipal autonomy and federalism, especially since municipalities play a crucial role in local self-administration. Emeritus professor of law Rainer J. Schweizer, whose contribution is featured in our book Kleinstaat Schweiz – Auslauf- oder Erfolgsmodell?, offers fundamental thoughts on the state of Swiss federalism.

According to Schweizer, the central element is the principle of subsidiarity, which is even enshrined in our federal constitution. The principle of subsidiarity promotes the independence of cantons and municipalities and the efficiency of public service provision. It also includes competition of ideas in various areas, such as tax policy. However, one of the most important advantages of such federalism is that it can safeguard a country’s cultural, linguistic, or religious pluralism.

Schweizer also mentions some critical points of Swiss federalism. It is disadvantageous if the differences in population numbers are too great, leading to significant disparities in the political weight of the cantons. Cantonal director conferences, as well as municipal agglomeration associations, are bureaucratic structures with a tendency toward purely administrative decisions without democratic legitimacy and insufficient transparency to the public. Federalism has thus lost significance.

The full text is available here as a PDF: