The Historical and Political Peculiarities of the Swiss Economic Development until the early 2000s

The study of the historical characteristics of the Swiss economy and its development up to the twenty-first century has not been thoroughly examined by either Soviet or Russian scholars and is highly topical due to the fact that the transformation of Switzerland from a backward economy to one of the most advanced and competitive countries is of considerable interest to the academic community. The goal is to examine and analyse the characteristics of the evolution of a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional union into a federal state, which have directly influenced the development of capitalist relations, the industrialisation of Switzerland, its particular niche specialisation and competitiveness. The author also draws the attention to the political and economic equilibration of the 'neutral' Confederation between the Сеntral Powers led by Germany and Entente countries and Allies and the Axis during the two world wars, which allowed its economy to be safeguarded and successfully grown. A number of factors determining the country's main economic development trends are identified in the article. The conclusion is drawn that there is a linkage between Switzerland's national and regional historical development and its economic success. The Swiss peculiar approach to pragmatic exploitation of weaknesses and disadvantages, its particular identity and the mentality that has developed over a long historical period, have played a crucial role in the creation of the Swiss economic model.

Keywords

Switzerland, federalism, neutrality, industrialisation, export specialisation, economy, internationalisation, services

Received

13.10.2022

Publication date

28.02.2023

Number of characters

29785

Cite

GOST	Trofimova O. The Historical and Political Peculiarities of the Swiss Economic Development until the early 2000s // Novaia i noveishaia istoriia – 2023. – Issue 1 C. 115-125 [Electronic resource]. URL: https://nni.jes.su/S013038640019347-9-1 (circulation date: 22.05.2024). DOI: 10.31857/S013038640019349-1
MLA	Trofimova, Olga "The Historical and Political Peculiarities of the Swiss Economic Development until the early 2000s." Novaia i noveishaia istoriia 1 (2023):115-125. DOI: 10.31857/S013038640019349-1
APA	Trofimova O. (2023). The Historical and Political Peculiarities of the Swiss Economic Development until the early 2000s. Novaia i noveishaia istoriia (1), pp.115-125 DOI: 10.31857/S013038640019349-1

100 rub.

When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 0, views: 153

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Baczunova S. Shveitsariya kak mirovoj finansovy`i centr [Switzerland as world financial center] // Mirovaya ekonomika i mezhdunarodny`e otnoshenij [World Economy and international relations]. 2008. № 11. S. 89–94. (In Russ.)

2. Ekonomicheskie tsikly Shveitsarii: kratkaya istoriya Shveitsarii [Economic cycles of Switzerland: short history of Switzerland] // URL: https://www.swissinfo.ch/rus/business/экономические-циклы-швейцарии-краткая история/4584500 (access date: 15.02.2022). (In Russ.)

3. Gosudarstva Al’piiskogo regiona i strany` Benilyuks v menyayushheisya Evrope [The countries of Benelux and Alpin region in changing Europe] / pod. red. V.Ya. Shvejcera. Moskva, 2009. (In Russ.)

4. Kembridzhskaya e`konomicheskaya istoriya Evropy` novogo i novejshego vremeni. T. 2. 1870 – nashi dni [The Cambridge history of modern Europe. Vol. 2. 1870 to the present] / pod. red. S. Brodberri, K.O. Rurka. Moskva, 2014. (In Russ.)

5. Petrov I.A. Ekonomika Shveitsarii i Vtoraya mirovaya vojna [The Swiss economy and World War II] // URL: https://www.swissinfo.ch/rus/вопросы -истории_экономика-швейцарии-и-вторая-мировая война/43114842 (access date: 25.02.2022). (In Russ.)

6. Reinhardt F. Istoriya Shveitsarii [History of Switzerland]. Moskva, 2013. (In Russ.)

7. Trofimova O.E. Otnosheniya Shveitsarii i ES: integraciya bez vstupleniya [Switzerland-EU relations: integration without accession] // Mezhdunarodnaya zhizn’ [International life]. 2018. № 11. S. 138–155. (In Russ.)

8. Yudanov Yu.I. Osobennosti shveitsarskoj predprinimatel`skoj modeli [Features of the Swiss business model] // Sovremennaya Evropa [Contemporary Europe]. 2003. № 1. S. 60–69. (In Russ.)

9. O’Sallivan D. Shveitsarskij federalizm i promy`shlenny`e innovacii [Swiss federalism and industrial innovation] // URL: https://www.swissinfo.ch/rus/e`konomika-i-zhizn`_shveitsarskij-federalizm-i-innovacii/43689140 (access date: 15.02.2022).

10. David T., Mach A. Institutions and Economic Growth: The Successful Experience of Switzerland (1870–1950). February 2006 // URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23547694_Institutions_and_Economic_Growth_The_Successful_Experience_of_Switzerland_1870-1950 (access date: 01.02.2022).

11. Lambelet J.-Ch., Mihailov A. Note on Switzerland's Economy: Did the Swiss Economy Really Stagnate in the 1990s, and Is Switzerland All That Rich? Reading, 1999.

12. L’économie Suisse. 1946–1986. Chiffres, faits, analyses. Zurich, 1987.

13. Müller M. Specialisation and multinationalisation: switzerland’s changing competitive advantage since the late 19th century // Revue française d'histoire économique. 2015. № 1. P. 58–71.

14. Perrenoud M. L’économie suisse et la neutralité à géométrie variable // Matériaux pour l’histoire de notre temps. Importance des relations economiques exterieures au debut du XX siècle. 2009. № 1. P. 77–86.

15. Straumann T. Pourquoi la Suisse est-elle rich? L`histoire economique nous repond // Revue de politique economique. 2010. № 1/2. Р. 4–8.

16. The World Economy/ ed. A. Maddison. Vol. 1–2. Paris, 2003.

17. Weder B., Weder R. Switzerland`s Rise to a Wealthy Nation. Competition and Contestability as Key Success Factors // Research Paper. 2009. № 25. Р. 1–24.