I was born and raised in Switzerland, lived and worked for several years in the United States, then accepted a job in France, where I remained until my retirement 26 years later. Since then, I have divided my time between France and the United States. All this to say that I have three nationalities, and so I get asked fairly frequently whether I feel more Swiss, American, or French. Actually, the choice is mainly binary: I have not lived in Switzerland since 1977, so if a choice has to be made, it's between France and the United States. I guess people just want to know which country I prefer.
The short answer is, neither. When my wife and I are in the United States, we miss the quality of life of southern France, the unhurried lifestyle, the soft Mediterranean breezes, the great healthcare system, the fact that we don't need cars, certain good friends, and the excellent and affordable cuisine. When we're in France, what we miss most are family and friends. Our two sons and their families, including our two grandsons, live in the United States, as do my wife's two sisters and their families, not to mention several very close friends. My usual answer is that I miss France when I'm in the United States and the United States when I'm in France. What I really should answer, and sometimes do, is that I consider myself a European, a citizen of the European Union. I am a great admirer of the EU and what it has done for its member states. I believe that larger structures like the EU help mitigate the nationalistic sentiments that have caused immense suffering in European history, and I am convinced that being part of a larger entity makes one stronger, or at least less vulnerable.
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It has brought about significant political and economic integration among its member states, facilitating a single market and customs union, among many other things. However, Switzerland, known for its neutrality and distinctive political stance, has remained outside of the EU, opting instead for a series of bilateral agreements. I've had endless discussions, many by email, with a good Swiss friend from my high school days. I spent much time and effort arguing that Switzerland should join the EU, and he argued just as vehemently (and probably better, as he is a lawyer), that Switzerland should stay away from the EU. So what are some of the arguments in favor of Swiss membership in the European Union?
Economic benefits: Joining the EU would grant Switzerland full access to the single market. Although Switzerland currently benefits from bilateral agreements, membership could offer a more comprehensive and stable economic relationship. Studies on the EU's single market indicate substantial economic benefits for member countries. For instance, research by the European Central Bank (ECB) suggests that the Single Market has increased real GDP per capita by approximately 12% to 22% for its founding member countries. Smaller EU member states, in particular, have experienced relatively higher benefits from this integration.
Influence on EU policies: As a non-member, Switzerland has no formal say in the shaping of EU policies, despite being affected by them. Full membership would allow Switzerland to have a voice in EU decision-making processes, participating directly in shaping regulations and policies that impact the region.
Solidarity and cooperation: Joining the EU could enhance Switzerland's role in promoting European solidarity. It would be part of a larger community dedicated to addressing continental challenges, such as climate change, security, and migration, fostering cooperation and shared solutions.
Opponents of Switzerland becoming a member of the EU frequently make these points, among others:
Loss of sovereignty: One of the primary reasons Switzerland has resisted joining the EU is to maintain its independence and sovereignty. Swiss citizens value their semi-direct democracy system, which might be compromised by EU membership. The European Union often requires member states to conform to its regulations and standards, potentially limiting Switzerland's autonomy.
Economic obligations: While EU membership could provide economic benefits, it also requires countries to contribute to the EU budget and adhere to financial regulations, which could affect Switzerland's economic policies. A report by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance argues that Switzerland's current bilateral agreements already provide significant benefits without the cost associated with membership.
Public opinion: Historically, the Swiss public has been skeptical about joining the EU. Referendums held in 1992 and subsequent years have shown a lack of strong public support for membership. Switzerland is a small country (roughly twice the size of New Jersey and about half the size of South Carolina) with a homogeneous, well-educated population. It has a high standard of living driven by wealth, high wages, and strong safety nets but offset by a very high cost of living. Many Swiss therefore feel that they are already better off than most, and so do not need to change anything. Any move towards joining the EU would need to overcome significant public opposition, requiring a shift in national sentiment.
To summarize, one can say that the decision for Switzerland to join the European Union is complex, involving a careful balance between economic benefits and the preservation of national sovereignty. While membership could enhance economic opportunities and political influence, it might also impinge on Switzerland's cherished independence and control over domestic affairs. An informed decision would require a comprehensive evaluation of the long-term implications of EU membership, considering both the evolving geopolitical landscape and the changing dynamics of EU policies.
Incidentally, one argument frequently mentioned against the EU is that it is a bureaucratic monster; it's even been called a moloch by some EU opponents. The truth is that the EU is remarkably efficient. As of 2024, the European Union institutions employed 79,211 staff members. This figure encompasses personnel across various EU bodies, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and numerous agencies and institutions. All these people support a population of some 450 million; that comes to 5,681 people per EU employee! By comparison, Switzerland employs 38,000 federal civil servants for its population of 8.7 million, and that comers to 229 people per civil servant. Of course, such comparisons are always flawed because the situations being compared are never identical, but even if one grants quite a bit of difference, the discrepancy is so large that it belies the myth of an inefficient and wasteful organization.
The loss of sovereignty is, in my opinion, exaggerated. Opponents of Swiss membership in the EU, above all the populist right-wing Swiss People's Party, make it sound as though membership in the EU meant forfeiting one's independence completely, yet none of the 27 EU member nations strike me as particularly oppressed. Besides, there are many areas where Switzerland has already caved in to foreign pressure that does not involve the EU, for instance. when the country bowed to pressure from the United States to significantly loosen its banking secrecy laws.
I understand perfectly why some Swiss may be reluctant to join the EU, fearing that they would have more to lose than to gain. My main complaint is that the Swiss do not appear to be able to make up their mind: it seems they want to remain outside of the EU, yet the government constantly reopens negotiations to come up with new bilateral agreements. They do not want to join the club, yet they insist on trying to negotiate some club privileges. Just at the end of December 2024, yet another round of negotiations between the EU and Switzerland came to an end; the exact wording of the proposed treaty is expected to be available in March of 2025. At some point, it seems certain that Swiss voters will yet again have to decide how they wish to position themselves with respect to the EU.
I have not yet mentioned hat there is what many consider to be an intermediate solution: Switzerland could join the European Economic Area along with Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. In a 1992 referendum he proposal was put before Swiss voters who narrowly rejected it (49.7% in favor, 50.3% against), mainly as a result of heavy lobbying by the Swiss People's Party. Since those days, the Swiss government has repeatedly tried to seek closer ties with the European Union, seemingly against the will of an electorate that prefers to listen to the often populist messages of the Swiss People's Party. Sometimes I think the Swiss are such squares! Perhaps it is not a coincidence that Switzerland is one of only two countries with a square flag (in case you are wondering, the other is the Vatican).
I believe Switzerland should irrevocably make clear what it wants. My preference would be that it join the EU, or at least the EEA; Switzerland is, after all, my birth country, and as such I want it to do well and be a respected and trusted participant in a larger community where it can help shape the Europe of the future. In my opinion, an EU membership would be the best way to bring this about. However, the issue will yet again have to be be decided at the ballot box, and this time, whatever the decision may be, I hope it will finally stop the music and end this eternal dance once and for all.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
December 2024
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