The ability to compromise and reform, an international and neutral Swiss, solidarity or the economic model: fundamental accounts on Switzerland encounter a broad consensus in the population. But interpretations also cause deep fractures according to political opinions.
ATS
National stories influence the way a country speaks of itself. They give an orientation, forge an identity and have a political influence, underlines Pro Futuris, the think tank of the Swiss society of public utility (SSUP), which published a study on the subject on Wednesday on the eve of the festivities of August 1.
Pro Futuris looked at five stories “turned to the future”: Switzerland capable of compromising and reforming itself; international and neutral Switzerland; Switzerland close to nature; Switzerland Solidarity; The Swiss economic model.
These five stories collect large support, regardless of sex, age, level of training or the linguistic region. Pro Futuris sees it as “a remarkable result” in the era of polarization and social fragmentation.
But as soon as it comes to interpreting these stories, clear differences appear. Political camps, in particular, have “diametrically opposed” conceptions of their meaning.
Privileged independence at the UDC
Voters of the UDC are thus clearly distinguished from the rest of the population on the account of an international and neutral Swiss: they favor national independence to international collaboration. They also bet on the protection of the landscape rather than the climate. Positions that they share with the non-abutants.
Voters of the green’liberals have a very marked preference for climate protection, while other parties are divided on this issue.
The left calls on the state
The supporters of the Rose-Vert Camp are “resolutely favorable” to the stories that focus on state support and interventions. Those of the UDC and PLR emphasize individual responsibility and the free market. As for the Center and PVL electorate, he defends “less clear” positions.
Divergences also appear on the question of whether to give more importance to the majority or minority interests: the PLR and the UDC are the only ones to position itself clearly on the side of the defense of majority interests. The other parties attach more importance to the involvement of minorities in the political process.
Malleable contents
According to its authors, the study makes it possible to “observe and classify changes and continuity in the political image that Switzerland has of itself”. National stories can be a unifying element. But their content is also malleable and leaves space for various interpretations.
The representations of the tested world also show “where the future fields of tension could be located in political discourse and what image of the future of Switzerland is important for the various electorates of the parties”.
The study was carried out by the Institute of Political Science at the University of Zurich. It was conducted last April through a national survey with 2013 participants.
