Publication

This paper explains how the interpretation of Swiss neutrality has been the subject of a controversial debate between Swiss traditionalists and advocates of a more active foreign policy. The author details how the rhetorical omnipresence of neutrality in domestic politics has obscured the fact that its relevance in foreign and security policy has strongly decreased. At the same time, the paper details how neutrality has prevented a substantial discussion of the underlying, irreconcilable visions of Switzerland’s role in the world, which inhibit the country’s capacity to act. The author states that there is a need for a strategy process to both identify the core foreign and security policy interests of Switzerland and to also derive mandates for appropriate instruments.