The making of modern Switzerland, 1848-1998
By: edited by Michael Butler, Malcolm Pender, and Joy Charnley.
Contributors: Butler, Michael, 1935-; Butler, Michael.; Pender, Malcolm.; Charnley, Joy, 1960-
Series: New perspectives in German studies
Publisher: Macmillan
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Basingstoke
Language: eng
Number of pages: 163
Subjects: Political ethics -- Switzerland -- Congresses.; Political culture -- Switzerland -- Congresses.; European Union -- Switzerland -- Congresses.; Switzerland -- Politics and government -- 1848- -- Congresses.
Genres: Congresses.
Description: "In the Making of Modern Switzerland, 1848-1998 leading British and Swiss scholars explore the phenomenon of modern Switzerland that has evolved out of the successful liberal revolution of 1848. The first part of the book covers the cultural, historical and literary aspects of this unique country. The conflicts of 1848 are explored both through their impact on Swiss historiography and through the reactions they provoked from writers and intellectuals at the time. The processes of creating a national myth are examined in the contemporary literature of Switzerland."

"The second half of the book looks at constitutional, political and economic problems confronting Switzerland today. The task of reforming the nineteenth-century Swiss Federal Constitution is outlined and the state of contemporary Swiss politics analysed. The final three chapters deal with Switzerland's international role in conflict resolution and the economic issues facing the country within the context of a rapidly evolving European Union. The problem of sustaining a coherent Swiss identity and maintaining the Swiss tradition of neutrality and multiculturalism is analysed in the context not only of Europe but also of the challenges posed by globalization."--Jacket.
Notes: "The chapters in this volume represent the record of two conferences held in Birmingham and Coventry on 10 and 17 October 1998, respectively"--pref.

Includes bibliographical references and index.