A fascinating collection of essays by leading British and Swiss scholars which explore the development of Swiss democracy from 1848 to the present day. Culture and literature, politics and economics are looked at in turn in an attempt to unravel the extraordinary success of this microcosmic, multicultural society at the heart of Europe. The problem of contemporary Switzerland, faced with rapid changes within the European Union, are outlined with refreshing candour. The question is posed whether the country can retain its distinctive identity and traditional attitudes while at the same time seeking closer cooperation with the newly emerging Europe and accepting the challenges of the globalized economy.

Autorentext

URS BUGMANN Journalist, Luzerner Neueste Nachrichten REMY CHARBON Lecturer in Modern German Literature, Universities of Fribourg and Geneva CLIVE H. CHURCH Jean Monnet Chair of European Studies, University of Kent, Canterbury THOMAS COTTIER Professor of International Law, University of Bern DOMINIK FURGLER Economic Counsellor and Head of the Economic Department, Swiss Embassy, London WOLF LINDER Professor of Politics and Director of the Institute for Swiss Politics, University of Bern THOMAS MAISSEN Historical Analyst ANDREW WILLIAMS Reader in International Relations, University of Kent, Canterbury

Inhalt

Preface Notes on the Contributors PART ONE The 1848 Conflicts and Their Significance in Swiss Historiography; T.Maissen Contemporary Reactions to '1848' by Writers and Intellectuals; R.Charbon How to Create a National Myth: Switzerland Reflected in its Contemporary Writing; U.Bugmann PART TWO Reforming the Swiss Federal Constitution: An International Lawyer's Perspective; T.Cottier Swiss Politics Today; W.Linder Finding a New Role in International Conflict Resolution: Switzerland after the End of the Cold War; A.Williams The Swiss Economy: Facing the Future; D.Furgler Redefining Swiss Relations with Europe; C.Church Index