Why “Swiss Standpoint”?

edit. Like two worlds that no longer understand each other – and perhaps do not want to – people today express opinions that are poles apart. The conflicting views often appear to be the exact opposite of one another – or even a deliberate distortion.

Before WWI, opinions were similarly divided in Switzerland: some shouted "Vive la France!", others "Long live the Reich!". The rift ran right through the country – feelings of animosity fuelled by the press of the neighbouring countries. Each side was convinced they were in the right; the others were the “villains”. The Federal Council was called upon – “finally” – to take a stand against the “other” side on the international stage. For a small neutral state, surrounded by two heavily armed warring parties, it was a dangerous tightrope act.

In this situation, the writer and later Nobel laureate for literature Carl Spitteler (1845–1924), was moved to appeal for solidarity within the national borders. In December 1914, three months after the outbreak of WWI, he gave a speech in Zurich to the Neue Helvetische Gesellschaft in an attempt to build a bridge between the two estranged parts of the country, the German and French-speaking regions of Switzerland, and to promote “Our Swiss Standpoint”. He was aware of the fragility of the small state: surrounded by strong neighbours with their strategic interests regarding the Swiss territory; the population, itself a heterogeneous mix of different languages, denominations, traditions, cultures and also "selfish" goals of individuals reaching beyond its borders.

In his speech Spitteler succeeded in elaborating a Swiss standpoint: to be neutral in war does not mean to be insensitive or unconcerned about one’s neighbours. The misery of others, whether they be French, German, English ... does touch us. However, as fortune would have it we live in a neutral state that will not become embroiled in the chaos of war. This does not call for arrogance but for humility.

Speaking over 100 years ago, Spitteler evinced, by subtle arguments and a strong sense of empathy, an attitude capable of distinguishing between human feelings, states at war, nationalism and neutrality. His words are as relevant today as they were then.

Throughout the periods of WWI and WWII, the Cold War and the rampant globalisation of recent decades, Switzerland consistently adopted a neutral and mediatory role.

This uniquely Swiss standpoint is a prudent, humane and unassuming stance set on preserving justice and neutrality, not only in the face of brute force. It caught the world’s attention a hundred years ago and still does so today.

To maintain this attitude in the world that confronts us today is the challenging task we have set ourselves with our new online publication.

The full text of Carl Spitteler’s speech, held in Zurich on 14 December 1914, is available here in PDF format to download.