Russell McMahon wrote:

> It's interesting that the canny Swiss, who have shown themselves not
> averse to seizing every financial opportunity in the last century, re
> not part of the EU.

I think the economics of the EU were the argument for joining it. But the
loss of sovereignty was the stronger argument against -- and this is
stronger in Switzerland than in most other places in Europe. I think they
also believe that maintaining an image of neutrality is important for their
financial industry, and that would be more difficult as part of the EU, as
foreign policy would not be anymore a national question only.

Switzerland provides actually a good example of one of the problems with
free trade. If the EU and Switzerland had free trade for a while, many
essential products and services wouldn't be produced and provided by Swiss
producers and providers anymore. After that, the EU just needs to close the
border, and the Swiss would have to render themselves -- and join the EU :)
So there is no free trade between the EU and Switzerland, and that's
perceived as a matter of national sovereignty and security by the Swiss.

Of course there are enough millions in anonymous bank accounts in
Switzerland held by decisive figures in the EU nations to make sure
something like this will never happen...

(Seriously, that's why I wrote in an earlier post that free trade -- really
free trade, not the propaganda version if it -- needs some kind of
international policing institution to make sure things are and remain
fair.)

Gerhard
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