The Making of Modern Switzerland, 1848-1998: Between Continuity and Change (New Perspectives in German Studies)

A fascinating collection of essays by leading British and Swiss scholars that explore the development of Swiss democracy from 1848 to the present day. Culture and literature, politics and economics are looked at in turn in an attempt to unravel the extraordinary success of this microcosmic, multicultural society at the heart of Europe. The problems of contemporary Switzerland, faced with rapid changes within the European Union, are outlined with refreshing candor. The question is posed whether the country can retain its distinctive identity and traditional attitudes while at the same time seeking closer cooperation with the newly emerging Europe and accepting the challenges of the globalized economy. In The Making Of Modern Switzerland, 1848-1998 Leading British And Swiss Scholars Explore The Phenomenon Of Modern Switzerland That Has Evolved Out Of The Successful Liberal Revolution Of 1848. The First Part Of The Book Covers The Cultural, Historical And Literary Aspects Of This Unique Country. The Conflicts Of 1848 Are Explored Both Through Their Impact On Swiss Historiography And Through The Reactions They Provoked From Writers And Intellectuals At The Time. The Processes Of Creating A National Myth Are Examined In The Contemporary Literature Of Switzerland. The Second Half Of The Book Looks At Constitutional, Political And Economic Problems Confronting Switzerland Today. The Task Of Reforming The Nineteenth-century Swiss Federal Constitution Is Outlined And The State Of Contemporary Swiss Politics Analysed. The Final Three Chapters Deal With Switzerland's International Role In Conflict Resolution And The Economic Issues Facing The Country Within The Context Of A Rapidly Evolving European Union. The Problem Of Sustaining A Coherent Swiss Identity And Maintaining The Swiss Tradition Of Neutrality And Multiculturalism Is Analysed In The Context Not Only Of Europe But Also Of The Challenges Posed By Globalization.--jacket. 1848 Conflicts And Their Significant In Swiss Historiography / Thomas Maissen -- Contemporary Reactions To 1848 By Writers And Intellectuals / Rémy Charbon -- How To Create A National Myth : Switzerland Reflected In Its Contemporary Writing / Urs Bugmann -- Reforming The Swiss Federal Constitution : An International Lawyer's Perspective / Thomas Cottier -- Swiss Politics Today / Wolf Linder -- Finding A New Role In International Conflict Resolution : Switzerland After The End Of The Cold War / Andrew Williams -- Swiss Economy : Facing The Future / Dominik Furgler -- Redefining Swiss Relations With Europe / Clive H. Church. Edited By Michael Butler, Malcolm Pender, And Joy Charnley. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "In the Making of Modern Switzerland, 1848-1998 leading British and Swiss scholars explore the phenomenon of modern Switzerland that has evolved out of the successful liberal revolution of 1848. The first part of the book covers the cultural, historical and literary aspects of this unique country. The conflicts of 1848 are explored both through their impact on Swiss historiography and through the reactions they provoked from writers and intellectuals at the time. The processes of creating a national myth are examined in the contemporary literature of Switzerland.". "The second half of the book looks at constitutional, political and economic problems confronting Switzerland today. The task of reforming the nineteenth-century Swiss Federal Constitution is outlined and the state of contemporary Swiss politics analysed. The final three chapters deal with Switzerland's international role in conflict resolution and the economic issues facing the country within the context of a rapidly evolving European Union. The problem of sustaining a coherent Swiss identity and maintaining the Swiss tradition of neutrality and multiculturalism is analysed in the context not only of Europe but also of the challenges posed by globalization."--BOOK JACKET. A fascinating collection of essays by leading British and Swiss scholars which explore the development of Swiss democracy from 1848 to the present day. Culture and literature, politics and economics are looked at in turn in an attempt to unravel the extraordinary success of this microcosmic, multicultural society at the heart of Europe. The problem of contemporary Switzerland, faced with rapid changes within the European Union, are outlined with refreshing candour. The question is posed whether the country can retain its distinctive identity and traditional attitudes while at the same time seeking closer cooperation with the newly emerging Europe and accepting the challenges of the globalized economy.