As a european, what do you think about Switzerland?
I would like to ask for opinions. If anyone who is European, please do express your opinions. The politics in Switzerland, as some know that has very stable one. So what do you think of its position then?
2006-10-04 16:16:35 · 10 answers · asked by ning59 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Two thousand years of peace and all they have contributed is the cuckoo clock. By the way I didn't make that up, sadly!
2006-10-04 21:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by aussiepom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the Swiss learned their neutrality through bitter pain, and are wise enough to remember history.
From about the 13th though to early 16th Centuries, the Swiss Confederation and Swiss mercenaries were most feared troops in Europe. If they didn't win every battle they fought, it was only because they died trying. But by the 1500s, the casualty rate was becoming unacceptable. It was after the Battle of Bicocca in 1522, when massive amounts of Swiss mercenaries under French command were slaughtered by Spanish gunfire as they tried to take a heavily defended position, that the Confederation called a halt to mercenary recruitment by the Cantons. The King of France still was allowed to recruit from French-speaking cantons, but the days of the massed pikemen up for hire to the employer with the largest purse was over.
Since then the Swiss have kept the tradition of a citizen army. Apparently the country has the highest rate of gun ownership per head of population in the world. But, perhaps thankfully, its purpose nowadays are solely defensive.
Yes, Harry Lime spoke of five hundred year of peace and brotherhood only producing the cuckoo clock, but most people forget the three hundred years of violence and terror that the Swiss inflicted upon Europe prior to this.
2006-10-08 11:02:29 · answer #2 · answered by 13caesars 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Robbie..nice one !
Having lived here since 1983 I still think Switzerland is a beautiful country, but..you said it! I am originally from Crosby, Liverpool, UK.
Can I ask you Robbie? Why do you ask this, I ask because I have posted similar questions the last week or two. Have a look..but in the section Society and Culture!
2006-10-04 18:21:10 · answer #3 · answered by Gary H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have the right idea. Look after themselves & let the rest of the world do the same.
They never seem to be involved in any unrest or bickering with anyone. A nice quiet life sitting on the fence watching the world go by. Bliss!
2006-10-04 19:15:23 · answer #4 · answered by monkeyface 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too many Swiss there, although they did give the world Toblerones, Swiss rolls and Swiss Army Knives. Bad points; keeping all the Nazi loot and not repaying it back to the right people after the war.
2006-10-04 16:33:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
they always sat on the fence but if other countries didn't sort things out they would have to get involved
2006-10-08 08:15:13 · answer #6 · answered by srracvuee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im neutral on that one!
2006-10-04 22:25:36 · answer #7 · answered by paul M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the USAF should bomb them back into the stoneage...after Pakistan?
2006-10-04 17:51:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
cuckoo
2006-10-04 16:25:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
GREAT CHOCOLATE AND NEUTRALITY MAKES THEM SO MELLOW!
2006-10-04 16:20:31 · answer #10 · answered by B'klyn Barracuda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋