agree "better stop it now then later"

Submitted by myth (Germany), Dec 12, 2009 at 06:05

Greetings to Indonesia! I agree that the swiss message is a "better stop it now then later". My idea about the swiss mindset is based on personal experience. As for the german-speaking part of Switzerland I have a good idea of the differences. The is something I would call swiss exceptionalism. That is manifested in a couple of facts like they are not member of the EU, not member of NATO when on the other hand they are neighbours to the big EU countries like France,Germany,Italy with which they also share all three languages. As for historical facts the swiss stayed out of the two world-wars. The swiss are aware they are a small country that can only define itself by culture, Even worse it is a three (plus one very small) language country. Compared to Belgium (a two plus one language country) Switzerland is not separated that much. Coming from Indonesia you may have some knowledge about the Netherlands. The Netherlands are comparable to Switzerland with respect to a strong mainstream culture that is very much different from the two neighbouring countries Germany and Belgium (with which they share one language). Being a small country the Swiss are aware they need to secure themselves. This week they did not allow a german islamist in. That is very much typical swiss. They understand they can only do that as long as they are not an EU member with open borders. In the past there had always been discussions about double nationality for german immigrants. This should be an easy subject one may think, given they are neighbours and share the language. Now for Switzerland there are some practical problems involved. Where would young german German immigrants serve in the military - Germany or Switzerland ? The Swiss rely on national service to the extent that practically every male has an automatic rifle at home and is on reserve duty for years and years. When you say "use others experience to secure themself" you describe a strategy of survival for the swiss alltogether. They know perfectly well that when their culture is gone, so is their security.

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