Reyes, Mateo European Government and Politics

Assessment of Swiss Neutrality

Foreign policy

Switzerland's neutrality in foreign policy is more of a value or principle than a statute in

Swiss foreign policy. It is a combination of the several procedures that an unbiased or
neutral state deliberately takes to ensure the clarity and validity of its extraordinarily
long-lasting neutrality. Permanent neutrality is a cornerstone of Swiss foreign policy. In
Europe and beyond, it is a source of harmony and stability. It ensures the nation's
freedom as well as the region's integrity. The country should abstain on a state-to-state
conflict, as dictated by the law of neutrality. Switzerland ascribes its neutrality to its
humanitarian and peaceful tendencies, as well as its tradition of providing excellent
workplaces and kind guidance. The country manages its neutrality in accordance with
international standards of fortitude or what we called as international solidarity, and
places it at the service of peace and prosperity.

However, some scholars are questioning the neutrality of Switzerland when the country
is lobbying for a seat on the United Nation Security Committee, because taking this
position in United Nations would go against some of Switzerland's core values. Some
people in Switzerland feel that taking a seat on the world's most powerful security body
could jeopardize the unique international status of the country as a neutral power and
the respected diplomatic position that accompanies it. Paul Widmer, one of the critics in
Switzerland’s lobbying for U.N. Security Committee position said that the neutrality of
Switzerland has become a cornerstone and trademark. Through this, the country has
attained high credibility in foreign policy. But when the time comes that the country has
a position in Security Council, it will be stuck on the hard situation. For example, what
role would Switzerland play if the United States sought the Security Council to
strengthen and reinforce the sanctions against Iran? Should it vote in favor of U.S. and
vice versa? Another problem for Swiss neutrality in foreign policy is the ongoing sale of
armaments to the countries that violate human rights. The Amnesty International has
also condemned Switzerland for continuing to sell weaponry to countries that violate
human rights, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, and Pakistan.

Economic policy

Switzerland is a prosperous and present-day market economy with low unemployment a

profoundly talented workforce, and a for each capita Gross domestic product among the
most noteworthy in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a profoundly
evolved administration area, driven by monetary administrations, and an assembling
industry that has practical experience in high-innovation and information-based creation.
Its financial and political solidness, straightforward general set of laws, outstanding
framework, effective capital business sectors, and low corporate expense rates
additionally make Switzerland one of the world's most aggressive and competitive
economies.

One of Swiss business industries is selling armaments and high caliber weapons for the
countries that have a lot of human rights violation and war. This action is contradicting
their law of neutrality that not allowing them to supply troops and weapons to aggressive
states. This action of Swiss economic policy has two possible outcomes. First, they will
boost their economy like what happening now. Second, they might not refrain from
engaging in war soon.
I therefore conclude that being a neutral country is a difficult position in times of turmoil.
The law of neutrality is hard to apply in international conflicts but let us recognize
Switzerland for being neutral as far as they can.