Switzerland and the European Union : A Close, Contradictory and Misunderstood Relationship

ISBN-13: 9780415371995 / Angielski / Twarda / 2006 / 263 str.

Clive H. Church

Opis

Despite its geographical centrality and its considerable economic involvement in Europe, Switzerland remains unusual in that it is neither a member of the Union or the European Economic Area. At a time when the Union is both expanding and seeking to develop its integration, the country constitutes a real anomaly amongst west European states.
This book demonstrates the range, depth and complexity of Switzerland's developing relations with Europe and provides detailed and up-to-date information on Switzerland itself. Considering a variety of dimensions of the country and its ambiguous relations with the EU, the author explore:
The classical political obstacles to entry: federalism, direct democracy, neutrality and the growing strength of anti-European populism.
Policy barriers to integration: in trade and economics generally, in financial matters, and in social provisions relating to the movement of people.
The EU response and the prospects for future Swiss-EU relations. This unique volume will be of interest to students and scholars of European politics and European Union politics.

Spis treści

1. Introduction  Part A: Political Problems  2. Federalism: Institutional Adaptation and Symbolic Constraints  3. Direct Democracy and European Integration: A Limited Obstacle?  4. Swiss Neutrality – An Obstacle on the Path towards the EU?  5. Populism in Switzerland and the EU: From Vox Populi to Vox Mediae  Part B: Economic and Social Difficulties  6. Swiss International Economic Relations: Assessing a Small and Open Economy  7. Sectors, Structures and Suspicions: Financial and other Aspects of Swiss Economic Relations with the EU  8. The (Contentious) Human Face of Europeanization: Free Movement and Immigration  Part C: The EU and International Contexts  9. The Wider Setting of Swiss Foreign Policy  10. Continuities Within Change: The Background of Swiss Relations with Europe  11. Back to the Future: The First Round of Bilateral Negotiations with the EU  12. Bilaterals 2: Reaching the Limits of the Swiss Third Way?  13. Switzerland: Special Case or Scallywag? The View from the EU  14. Prospects

O autorze

Clive H. Church is Emeritus Jean Monnet Professor of European Studies of the University of Kent, UK and a member of the University’s Centre for Swiss Politics.