REH asked: > There are some points that you don't make in your statements about the > "peacefulness" of Switzerland. Those points may seem strange or even > unfair but I do believe they need to be answered and you would be a good > one to do just that. > > 1. Guns. It is my understanding that every household must have a gun and > sixty days supply of food in their household. Is that true?
Every member of the military has a gun (rifle or pistol), but not every household has one, because there are more households (~3.5 million) than members of the military (currently ~400,000). Having a food supply for 2-3 weeks (basic necessities) in the basement is recommended (not mandatory anymore, but many have it anyway). > Is it > still true that every man and boy are members of the military (reserve?) > until the age of sixty and must maintain their own weapon and ammunition? Basically, every male citizen gets drafted at ~20, but not everyone meets the requirements (for medical/psychological reasons or objection). Regular military service ends at the age of 42 now. Personal weapon and ammo are kept at home, locked up safely. Yup, that's safe, because the nutcases are sorted out before they could enter the military. (Btw, the Zug massacre you may have read about was not perpetrated by a member of the army, but by a native Austrian with private guns -- the same applies to the two other massacres in the past decade). I have heard that the US NRA is trying to instrumentalize this in their pro-gun campaigns. However, there's a vast difference between uncontrolled private gun ownership by "gun nuts"/weirdos and gun ownership by carefully selected&trained members of the military. Also, the traditional meaning of guns is different: Here, guns symbolize defense against invasions from surrounding empires. In the USA, guns symbolize dominion over others (traditionally Natives and slaves) and their exploitation. That's the difference between power over oneself and power over others. > 2. What about the military training? How much? The basic training at age 20 is for 15 weeks, followed by regular re-training in units of 20 days and annual target practice. The lifetime military service lasts 300 days for regular soldiers (longer for higher ranks). > How comfortable are the Swiss with disobediance? Objectors of conscience can serve in community service (nursing homes, hospitals, aid organizations etc.) that lasts 50% longer than the military service. But they are required to explain their reasons in order to be admitted to this service. > 3. What about the attitude of the Swiss towards the rest of Europe? > Especially the Northern Italians. It varies, of course. Mostly the attitude is open towards the people but reserved towards the (EU's) political system. What should be special about Northern Italians? Traditionally they're the largest group of immigrants, so there are many well-integrated 2nd-/3rd- generation Italians here. > 4. What is Switzerland's immigration policy towards the rest of the world? Generous. 20% foreigners (EU average: 5%), one of the highest rates of immigrants and asylum-seekers (somehow ironic without a colonist past). > If I wanted to come to Basle, Zurich or Geneva to teach voice and immigrate > would I be welcome? Yes, if you have an employer or enough money or a reason to seek asylum... > Would it be as easy for me to come to you as you to me? I think it would be easier for you than for me, at least since the 9/11 paranoia in the US. > 5. With the participation in UN peacekeeping is there a threat to the > neutrality? No, because our laws limit the participation to non-combatant, constructive activities (e.g. organization of civil administration, election monitors, building infrastructure). > 6. Do you believe that the size of your population makes it easier for you > to maintain your system along with the loyalty of each of your citizens? Yes, this helps to keep the political units small and overseeable. But this doesn't mean that elements of the system couldn't be adopted by larger countries. > 7. How do you feel your country will fare in the coming European world > where the potential is for you to become the same as Colorado is to the > United States? Badly! In the EU system there is no place for de-centralized direct democracy, transparency and neutrality. I (and a few EU citizens) think that it would be best for the EU to adopt the Swiss system instead of the other way 'round, but unfortunately, the EU is a corporate project (by the "European Roundtable of Industrialists", www.ert.be) whose bosses could care less about what the public wants. The EU structures are accordingly... > 8. What state in the US do you figure that your societal structure including > the military, defense structure, arts, public health, education, etc. is > the most like? I'm not familiar with the differences between US states, so I'll have to pass this question on to Americans. (I think the question is academic because no US state comes anywhere near. However, globalization is reducing the distance...) HTH, Chris
