Greater Switzerland [pdf]
The article proposes a political and economic union called "Greater Switzerland," arguing that small, neutral, and prosperous nations like Switzerland could absorb neighboring regions affected by political instability or economic decline, creating a larger bloc focused on stability, direct democracy, and high living standards.
Background
- The article envisions a hypothetical "Greater Switzerland" — an expanded Swiss Confederation that has absorbed surrounding territories (e.g., parts of France, Italy, Austria, Germany) through geopolitical collapse or voluntary accession. It is a thought experiment, not a prediction.
- Explores how Swiss political institutions (direct democracy, federalism, neutrality) might scale to govern a larger, more diverse population, and what this reveals about the limits and contradictions of the Swiss model.
- Draws on real debates about Swiss identity, immigration, EU relations, and the tension between local autonomy and central coordination — issues that resonate beyond Switzerland.
- The author, David Nientiedt, is a researcher associated with the Isonomia Quarterly, a journal known for long-form political and historical essays.