Switzerland: Invention of Permanent Neutrality
Switzerland: Invention of Permanent Neutrality

Author(s): Thomas Fischer
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, Geopolitics, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: ISAC - Centar za međunarodne i bezbednosne poslove
Keywords: Switzerland; Permanent Neutrality; international relations
Summary/Abstract: Until today Switzerland is considered the prototype neutral state, and although new security challenges such as organized crime, international terrorism or pandemics cannot be met by means of a neutral foreign and security policy, 9 out of 10 Swiss citizens would not want to give up neutrality. This is what we regularly find in opinion polls since the end of the Cold War. Politicians from all directions regularly invoke the tradition of Switzerland’s permanent neutrality in international conflicts, dating back to at least the 16th century. The national legend sometimes even places the origins of Swiss neutrality in the late 13th century, when three cantons of what is today central Switzerland signed treaties of alliance protecting them from “the aggression of the wicked.” During my presentation today I would like to present the following: • to first take a brief look at how Switzerland historically arrived to adopt a position of permanent neutrality in international affairs in the 19th century; • then I will go on to discuss some of the experiences with neutrality Switzerland made in the 20th century; in particular I will explain Switzerland’s specific Cold War neutrality concept, which left a deep mark on the debates on neutrality in the country until today; • I will conclude with an outline of the conceptual changes in Swiss neutrality policy since the end of the Cold War and delineate with what questions Switzerland’s permanent neutrality is faced with today.

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