The Considerations and Outlooks for Switzerland Joining EU (1992-2007)
Date Issued
2008
Date
2008
Author(s)
Chen, I-Yin
Abstract
This paper aims to analyze the outlooks and considerations of Switzerland joining EU in the foreseeable future under the realism’s perspectives. Being the last and unique permanent neutral state in the international community, Switzerland chooses not to give up its policies on neutrality and non-alliance, even after the Cold-War has ended, when the world steps into a new ear which traditional arm forces are no longer the main source of threat to national security, Switzerland still refuses to believe in institutions and hesitates to join the vast-progressing process of European integration.One of the main reasons that causes Switzerland’s decision on maintaining bilateral relationships with the EU is the bitter historical background. The Swiss Federation is consisted by Cantons at the beginning to fight against and to defend foreign threats, the Federation is formed by Cantons with different languages, religions and cultures; in other words, Swiss Federation is a very loose type of Federal system. Lack of common language, religion and culture lead to a lack of national identify in the Swiss nationals. Thus the Swiss government has to cohere its nationals by unique man-made institutions such as federalism, direct democracy and neutrality, to help Swiss nationals to define themselves. Therefore, as Swiss people get to used to define themselves according to these unique institutions, any possible change will provoke anxiety in the society and Cantons. The painful history and pluralistic nature of Swiss society let Federal government hesitates to make any change on the current policies and refuses to believe in institutional cooperation, since Switzerland cannot afford any division in society and Cantons which serves as the fundaments of the nations.The advantages of bilateral interactions also contribute to Switzerland’s reluctance to become a EU member. Bilateral agreements such as Bilateral I and II allow Switzerland to maintain and continue a close relationship an d access to the EU market just like EEA countries and EU members. Switzerland enjoys benefits and opportunities no less than EEA countries at a lesser price, which satisfies the interest of Switzerland. A realist actor like Switzerland is not willing to share her interest and opportunities with other countries, and also will not do any decision that will harm its national autonomy. Hence, if bilateral relationship brings Switzerland almost everything the EEA countries enjoys at a much cheaper price, and Switzerland is not required of any responsibility, the Federal government will not bother to give up all these advantages and privileges. The conclusion of this paper is Switzerland will not become a member of EU in the near future if there is no direct and strong threat and economic pressure coming from the outside, especially from EU. Since Bilateral I and II already offers Switzerland near perfect substitutes to the EEA agreement, there is no need for Switzerland to take the risk to participate in a supranational organization like EU, which will limit Switzerland’s autonomy and bring chaos in the society.
Subjects
Switzerland
permanent neutral states
realism
European Union (EU)
European integration
European Economic Area (EEA)
1992 EEA referendum in Switzerland
bilateral relations
SDGs
Type
thesis
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Loading...
Name
ntu-97-R93322045-1.pdf
Size
23.53 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum
(MD5):ff5cba93a019c66a0710e73b4a7efc1d