Swiss foreign policy. Foundations and possibilities

Abstract:

Neutrality would for many epitomise Swiss foreign policy and it has played a significant part in the shaping of Swiss foreign policy for decades. This work looks at that and other factors such as anti-Communism and economic integration that have shaped Swiss foreign policy since the Second World War.

The book is organised in three parts. The first part opens with a chapter dealing with foreign politics in the narrower sense and offering definitions associated with it - sovereignty, interests and power. Chapter two considers role concepts - the role that a country takes in the international arena - and how they apply to Switzerland.

Part two deals with the basic conditions in which Swiss foreign policy functions. Chapter three explores the political institutions, with particular attention given to the horizontal division of authority between the executive branch, parliament and the electorate and how it contrasts with the vertical division between the federal government and the cantons.

Part three deals with selected foreign policy arenas. Chapter five addresses Swiss policy towards European integration. Chapter six examines the area of peace and security and chapter seven looks at development policy. Chapter eight considers Swiss foreign trade policy. The final chapter deals with the emergence of conflicting goals and the measures Switzerland employs to avoid excessive policy inconsistency. It does so by considering some specific examples - armament exports, export risk guarantees and international intellectual property rights.

The work will interest scholars and students engaged in European Studies and Comparative Politics.