Switzerland Is Prepared for Civilizational Collapse – Marginal REVOLUTION | Hacker News Reader

Switzerland Is Prepared for Civilizational Collapse – Marginal REVOLUTION

marginalrevolution.com

41 pointsmercutio212 comments

Switzerland's attitude had served it pretty well so far. It probably wouldn't have been at peace since 1815 if it had not had enough defences to put off other countries from invading in WW1 and 2. It's refreshing that it's defence spending is actually for defence and not for attacking distant countries.

Geographically privileged as well

It’s really not. Living on top of the mountain range is not fun, unless you’re a very developed society.

For the purpose of defence yes, it is privileged.

Of course it isn't fun, but gives a big tactical advantage.

An well beeing the bank for all other states regardless of the source of money discourages armed conflict.

That a lot of money, the Nazi stole from others, was stored on swiss banks could have helped also.

Always a tricky question for me as a Swiss. It great to think we are awesome with our defenses and stuff like that.

However the reality is that luck has more to do with it. The large scale European balance of power and geography made this possible.

Switzerland is bad for going North to South and if you move East to West its better to stick with the North European plain.

Comparing Belgium and Switzerland before WW1 shows this. Both were ready to defend their borders, and you couldn't just walk in.

However it just so happens that Germany was fighting France and Russia.

In the Napoleonic wars some action was happening in Switzerland (Russian armies in Switzerland) but even then it was limited.

> It probably wouldn't have been at peace since 1815 if it had not had enough defences to put off other countries from invading in WW1 and 2.

This is a oft repeated myth. Switzerland would have been conquered within a day by any major power in ww1 or ww2. The reason why switzerland isn't conquered is because they serve as a money laundering/transfer center for every power. Swizterland's "defenses" are for show. Swizterland's shield is it's dependable position as banker for nations and the elites.

This is simply wrong. Conquering parts of the flat lands could have been pretty easy but the Swiss strategy was retreat into the mountain area.

And if you have ever looked at the modern american army in afganistan then you will know that you can't just show up with some people and resources and take everything over.

Effective defense is about causing more pain then it is worth conquering you.

Also lets remember that in WW1 Netherlands was not attacked either in WW1. Generally its just not worth attacking small neutral countries.

Banking is just one of many aspects, its simply false to claim that it is the major reasons.

Switzerland:

- people and services are usually more punctual

- community thoughtfulness is strongly enforced

- sensible gun ownership

- preppers

Is there still a church tax in some cantons?

How do taxes compare with say Norway or Sweden?

——

Q: Why are the Swiss so friendly?

A: No one can understand each other.

Norwegian living in Switzerland here. Taxes vary from canton to canto but are much lower than both Sweden and Norway in general, you will be better off financially in Switzerland.

I will probably move back to Norway at some point though. The main reason being that you get a year parental leave in Norway but only 1 day in Switzerland. There is also the improved social security net, more focus on work/life balance and better equality between the sexes.

Based on what do you rate equality between the sexes?

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