Question: How did a federal union rank the economy of the Otto Furrer's birth country?

<P0-S0> The World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland's economy as the most competitive in the world, while ranked by the European Union as Europe's most innovative country. <P0-S1> For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin (by GDP – per capita). <P0-S2> In 2007 the gross median household income in Switzerland was an estimated 137,094 USD at Purchasing power parity while the median income was 95,824 USD. <P0-S3> Switzerland also has one of the world's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP. <SEP> <P1-S0> Until recently, in the absence of prior agreement on a clear and precise definition, the concept was thought to mean (as a shorthand) 'a division of sovereignty between two levels of government'. <P1-S1> New research, however, argues that this cannot be correct, as dividing sovereignty - when this concept is properly understood in its core meaning of the final and absolute source of political authority in a political community - is not possible. <P1-S2> The descent of the United States into Civil War in the mid-nineteenth century, over disputes about unallocated competences concerning slavery and ultimately the right of secession, showed this. <P1-S3> One or other level of government could be sovereign to decide such matters, but not both simultaneously. <P1-S4> Therefore, it is now suggested that federalism is more appropriately conceived as 'a division of the powers flowing from sovereignty between two levels of government'. <P1-S5> What differentiates the concept from other multi-level political forms is the characteristic of equality of standing between the two levels of government established. <P1-S6> This clarified definition opens the way to identifying two distinct federal forms, where before only one was known, based upon whether sovereignty resides in the whole (in one people) or in the parts (in many peoples): the federal state (or federation) and the federal union of states (or federal union), respectively. <P1-S7> Leading examples of the federal state include the United States, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, Australia and India. <P1-S8> The leading example of the federal union of states is the European Union. <SEP> <P2-S0> Furrer was born in Zermatt. <P2-S1> He became a world champion in the combined event, received a silver medal in the slalom and a bronze medal in the downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1932. <P2-S2> He was killed in an accident on the Matterhorn. <SEP> <P3-S0> Some high mountain villages, such as Avoriaz (in France), Wengen, and Zermatt (in Switzerland) are accessible only by cable car or cog-rail trains, and are car free. <P3-S1> Other villages in the Alps are considering becoming car free zones or limiting the number of cars for reasons of sustainability of the fragile Alpine terrain. <SEP> <P4-S0> the great depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, originating in the united states. <P4-S1> the timing of the great depression varied across nations; in most countries it started in 1929 and lasted until 1941. it was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century. <P4-S2> in the 21st century, the great depression is commonly used as an example of how far the world's economy can decline. <SEP> <P5-S0> richmond's economy is primarily driven by law, finance, and government, with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, as well as notable legal and banking firms, located in the downtown area. <P5-S1> the city is home to both the united states court of appeals for the fourth circuit, one of 13 united states courts of appeals, and the federal reserve bank of richmond, one of 12 federal reserve banks. <P5-S2> dominion resources and meadwestvaco, fortune 500 companies, are headquartered in the city, with others in the metropolitan area.