The future of Swiss foreign and security policy: increasing international cooperation is the key to national autonomy
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Authors
Buechi, Niels O.
Subjects
Switzerland
Foreign Policy
Security Policy
International Cooperation
National Autonomy
Neutrality;
Foreign Policy
Security Policy
International Cooperation
National Autonomy
Neutrality;
Advisors
Abenheim, Donald
Halladay, Carolyn
Date of Issue
2011-12
Date
December 2011
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis investigates the future development of Swiss foreign and security policy, particularly in the context of the continuing trend toward alliances and cooperative policymaking entities in and around Europe. It focuses on two main aspects: One is how international cooperation in general influences national autonomy and neutrality; the other is the specific impact of the Lisbon Treaty of the European Union on Swiss foreign, security, and defense policy. This twopillar structure informs the central question of this thesis, namely whether increasing international cooperation is the key to Swiss national autonomy and Switzerland's place in the international system of states. For outsiders, at first glance, this question and the whole approach may appear inherently contradictory. How can more or more extensive international cooperation lead to greater national autonomy in Swiss statecraft? It is the aim of this study to investigate and explain how cooperation in one political field can enhance and support autonomy in another political area. The thesis concludes by measuring the value of autonomy and develops some evolutionary options and models for future international cooperation. The final chapter provides an assessment of how much international cooperation is appropriate or recommended in light of the national and international consequences.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xii, 81 p. ; 28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.