The idea of citizenship in Switzerland is something they take very seriously, which makes sense when you consider that Switzerland has long been an international hub and thus needs to protect its values. In order to become naturalized as a Swiss citizen, you need to have spent 12 years in the country, as well as pass federal, cantonal and municipal approval that you should be a citizen. In some communities, this municipal procedure involves a local population vote on whether or not you have sufficiently integrated yourself into the community/way of life. Not surprisingly, there have been several stories in Le Temps, a Genevois newspaper, about seemingly qualified individuals who have been denied citizenship. In fact, the Federal Tribunal recently declared this local population vote unconstitutional as it does not protect against discrimination. While I’m glad that, unlike France with its move towards Le Pen, the Swiss are moving away from a process that allows for discrimination/”purification” of a nation, there are two issues that are provocative: (1) how has this procedure even been in effect for as long as it has? and (2) do the people have a better sense of who might be sufficiently integrated into a community than the government? Putting standardization aside, who does have a better idea of community? I tend to think that the potential for discrimination is too great to allow the local votes, but it’s an interesting idea.
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August 1st, 2003 at 11:03 pm
Sural,
That is definitely a tough country to immigrate to! While I can see the argument that it does not protect against discrimination, the Swiss have a strong education system (so I’ve heard?) and of those I’ve met (including a woman of Taiwanese ethnicity) they appear to be rather tolerant of all kinds of differences. And I suppose they do have to limit immigration, when the government is willing to pay not only health care but education throughout university as well. Perhaps this sort of communal approval actually brings the community together?
August 4th, 2003 at 3:19 pm
Hm…well, I would agree except that I would have to argue that there are plenty of systems in the world (and particularly in Europe) that offer similar benefits to immigrants. In terms of tolerance….well, I’m in Geneva, a place that is very used to people of all backgrounds passing through and settling in its limits, so tolerance is probably higher here than in most places..especially since the type of people they see are mostly educated individuals/professionals (see previous post on people in Geneva). I’m not sure what it’s like outside of Geneva, except for in Paris…where the majority of immigrants are North African, and they are definitely not treated with a great about tolerance. I could look into immigration policies in other European countries…might be interesting….
As for the comment of communal approval bringing communities together- well, that’s exactly what the supporters of the procedure have been saying!
By the way, where are you now? Not in the U.S. anymore, right?? I can’t remember when you were supposed to leave (:()…hope everything is going well…I’m heading over to your blog now :).
December 8th, 2003 at 7:34 pm
Sural,
Just wanted to let you know that I’m submitting an abstract on our UA study and wanted to include you on it. Let me know your email address and I’ll send a copy along. Glad to hear you seem to be enjoying yourself out there.
Joe Zorc