one interesting point about modern Switzerland is that it, along with Kuwait, has the highest per capita income in the world. not surprisingly, both countries have unusual economies; one is based on being the lowest-cost oil producer in the world, the other on having the most stable (and discrete) banking system. both industries bring essentially windfall profits into the economy. the other big industries in Switzerland, such as timepieces and chocolate, are luxury items which also provide abnormal profits. nice to have, but by definition not a scheme that other countries can easily emulate.
one thing we Americans often forget is that nations that appear to be highly civilized do not always value freedoms. as a Finnish acquantance once put it, "if you become a Finnish citizen, you become a Lutheran. You have no choice, there are no other churches there."
still, what I like about the Swiss system (along with their excellent education system; their high-school graduates can actually READ!) is that they still have that respect for the common man doing his part. in the U.S., an average guy who chases down a mugger will be reviled by many. folks who are in the Reserves or Guard seem to be viewed as a little strange. a nation which values citizen-soldiers has an immesurable strength.
one thing we Americans often forget is that nations that appear to be highly civilized do not always value freedoms. as a Finnish acquantance once put it, "if you become a Finnish citizen, you become a Lutheran. You have no choice, there are no other churches there."
still, what I like about the Swiss system (along with their excellent education system; their high-school graduates can actually READ!) is that they still have that respect for the common man doing his part. in the U.S., an average guy who chases down a mugger will be reviled by many. folks who are in the Reserves or Guard seem to be viewed as a little strange. a nation which values citizen-soldiers has an immesurable strength.