My work only deals with the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Research in the French- and Italian-speaking parts would have been worthwhile, but also complicated due to a lack of language skills. This book chapter consists of five main chapters. The first chapter, the methodology, has an overview of its own.
The next part deals with the history of immigration in Switzerland since the end of the Second World War until present. It shows how the little country dealt with a huge influx of foreigners, but also examines the xenophobic movements and feelings that accompanied this development.
In the third chapter I shed light on unique features of the Swiss character, and how those traits influenced the contact to foreigners from all different nations. I will focus particularly on the role of language and regionalism. As I have a Swiss mother and have lived in Switzerland for a while, I have gained some expertise which helped me to further research this part.
An analysis of the election campaigns of the popular Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and the disputed methods which the party uses will be the chief subject of the fourth chapter. I examined the election programme of the party and compared it to reality. Furthermore, I was interested in the deeper reasons which lie behind the success of the disputed party, and therefore spoke to people who could tell me more about that.
Finally, I decided to widen my research and consequently travelled to seven different destinations in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. There, I examined the different everyday realities of Swiss and foreigners, witnessed a speech of a controversial SVP- politician, and went to places where integration works, but also to one where coexistence between Swiss and foreigners went horribly wrong.
Table of Contents
1. Methodology
Overview
Chapter outlines and research questions
Literature review
Conceptualizing a research design
Research design
Study design
Methods of data collection
Interviews and observations
Survey
Selecting interviewees
Ethical issues of data collecting
Processing and displaying data
Methods of displaying data
Types of displaying data
2. Haven or hell? The distory of xenophobia in Switzerland from 1945 until today
The boat is full – The role of Switzerland in the Second World War
Apartheid in the heart of Europe?
The 1980s and 1990s: Splinter parties
Take a walk on the right side – The rise of the SVP
3. The influence of Swiss national identity on the contact to foreigners
La Suisse n’existe pas – Thoughts about Swiss uniqueness
Babylonian confusion in Basel – The role of language
Do you speak German? Yes, I don’t!
My canton is my castle – The role of Swiss regionalism
So… how bad is it?
4. Creating an alternate reality? – Populism Swiss style
You’re being treated like a doormat? It's the black men's fault!
The wolves in sheep’s clothing?
Popular populism – Why the SVP still is so successful
5. Journey through Switzerland – The pursuit of uniqueness
Basel – A peaceful invasion
Wila – The snarling pit-bull who kisses cheeks
Wald and Unteriberg – Of rolling hills and crushing cliffs
Wollerau and Längi – Good foreigners, bad foreigners?
Interlaken and Lucerne – 200.000 cut-throats at large in Switzerland?
Back in Basel
Objectives and Research Themes
This work examines the complex relationship between Switzerland, its foreign population, and the rise of populist politics. The research explores how historical and cultural factors influence attitudes toward foreigners and analyzes the role of the Swiss People's Party (SVP) in shaping national discourse on migration and xenophobia.
- The historical development of xenophobia in Switzerland since 1945.
- The influence of Swiss national identity, language, and regionalism on the integration of foreigners.
- An analysis of SVP election campaigns and their use of controversial political messaging.
- First-hand observations of daily life and integration experiences in various Swiss regions.
- A critique of the political rhetoric surrounding "over-foreignization" versus empirical social data.
Excerpt from the Book
The boat is full – The role of Switzerland in the Second World War
October 1938. Six weary figures, three adults and three children, groan under the weight of their load while they slog across a freshly ploughed field in a cold and rainy night. One of them carries a little child and a bag, and fights to keep up with the others despite sinking in the muddy ground with every new step. In her bag fifteen-year-old Sophie Haber carries the few belongings which the Jewish girl was able to pack before she had been forced to leave Austria hurriedly. Five months previously, the Nazis had annexed her adopted homeland and only a few days afterwards reprisals and pogroms against Austrian Jews had begun. Now Sophie and her fellow refugees seek to enter neutral Switzerland from Germany. It is a dangerous undertaking. Two months ago Switzerland had sealed off its borders, and refugees who were caught crossing them were turned away or in many cases even handed over to the German authorities, who sent a large number of them directly to concentration camps.
But Sophie is lucky. After being captured by Swiss border guards, she is sent to police Captain Paul Grüninger, a man, who at the end of his career will have saved over 3500 refugees including Sophie by acting against his orders and allowing them to enter Switzerland. Finally, he was dismissed and sentenced to a high fine for his breach of duty. It was not before 1995 that he was rehabilitated by justice after several politicians and the media had criticised the fact that he was still considered a criminal (New 1997:14). Sophie Haber, however, always knew that “I had luck, and my luck bore the name Paul Grüninger. He saved my life” (Alton-Scheidl 2005).
Summary of Chapters
1. Methodology: This chapter outlines the journalistic approach, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to investigate the connection between populism and foreign policy in Switzerland.
2. Haven or hell? The distory of xenophobia in Switzerland from 1945 until today: This chapter reviews the history of immigration and xenophobic movements in post-war Switzerland, examining whether the nation's humanitarian tradition holds up against critical scrutiny.
3. The influence of Swiss national identity on the contact to foreigners: This chapter explores how internal cultural factors like regionalism and multilingualism influence the integration of foreigners and the formation of Swiss attitudes toward non-nationals.
4. Creating an alternate reality? – Populism Swiss style: This chapter analyzes the electoral success of the SVP, focusing on their controversial campaigns and how their messaging correlates (or conflicts) with the everyday realities of Swiss society.
5. Journey through Switzerland – The pursuit of uniqueness: This chapter documents the author's travel to seven different locations to witness first-hand the varied experiences of integration and coexistence between Swiss citizens and foreigners.
Keywords
Switzerland, Xenophobia, Populism, Swiss People's Party, SVP, Immigration, National Identity, Integration, Direct Democracy, Regionalism, Political Campaigns, Asylum Policy, Social Cohesion, Journalism, Cultural Diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This work explores how the rise of populist parties, specifically the Swiss People's Party (SVP), has influenced the social climate and integration of foreigners in Switzerland, while also considering historical influences on these developments.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The book covers the history of immigration in Switzerland, the psychological and identity-based aspects of Swiss regionalism, the effectiveness of populist election strategies, and real-world case studies of integration in different regions.
What is the primary research question?
The work investigates the contradiction between the "chameleon" nature of Swiss society (willingness to adapt) and the "porcupine" nature (segregation and defense), and questions why populist narratives have found such strong resonance with voters.
Which research methodology was utilized?
The author employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods, including semi-structured face-to-face interviews, a survey of 84 Swiss nationals, observations, and the analysis of official statistical data from the Federal Statistical Office.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body addresses the historical role of Switzerland in the Second World War, the influence of Swiss language and regionalism on social cohesion, and a detailed look at SVP campaigns concerning issues like crime and social welfare.
What are the key descriptive characteristics of this work?
This study is characterized by its journalistic book-chapter style, its integration of diverse viewpoints from politicians, academics, and immigrants, and its critical examination of Swiss exceptionalism.
How does the book analyze the success of the SVP?
It argues that the SVP succeeds by identifying burning issues that other parties ignore, utilizing provocative "political marketing" to polarize the electorate, and addressing the insecurities of the middle class amid globalization.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the current political climate?
The author concludes that while there are significant political tensions and controversial rhetoric, the Swiss system of direct democracy remains a resilient, albeit demanding, framework that most Swiss people ultimately value.
- Arbeit zitieren
- MA Urs Endhardt (Autor:in), 2011, Porcupine or Chameleon? Switzerland and its Foreigners in the Light of the Rise of Populist Parties, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/215434
