Switzerland: a neutral of distinction?

Wylie, Neville

doi:10.1017/cbo9780511523793.016

Cited by 2 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…"Neutrality" in Switzerland, closely linked to its history and its role, has been continuously reinterpreted over the past two centuries (Wylie, 2001;Müller, 2019). In this conversation on LEP, I view "neutrality" as a valuable analytical lens that illuminates the diverse forms of authority ascribed to languages, particularly hegemonic languages that derive their authority from a sense of anonymity (Woolard, 2008).…”

Section: In What Way Is Neutrality As An Analytical Lens Beneficial W...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutrality as an analytical lens on language curricula? A data-based conversation on policies, discourses and their sociohistorical origins in Switzerland and South Africa

Zimmermann,

Ronza

2023

RLD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this article, we analyse language education policy in two officially multilingual countries, Switzerland and South Africa, where the role of English has evolved vis-à-vis local “national” languages since the 1990s. Our focus is on language policy as a manifestation of social struggles and, with a particular emphasis on English, we explore current policy documents in these two very different contexts. Using “neutrality” as an analytical lens, we show that language policy goes beyond curricula and in-/exclusion of languages, and instead neutralises societal ideas in line with the vision of a “successful” future at a given sociohistorical juncture. Finally, we reflect on neutrality as a component of language ideologies, whereby specific languages are authorised for contingent and changing political goals, leading to consequences such as in-/exclusion of certain languages in education policy and unequal distribution of knowledge, resources and authority.

show abstract

Section: In What Way Is Neutrality As An Analytical Lens Beneficial W...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Neutrality as an analytical lens on language curricula? A data-based conversation on policies, discourses and their sociohistorical origins in Switzerland and South Africa

Zimmermann,

Ronza

2023

RLD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Switzerland takes its obligation to maintain a deterrent force quite seriously. While accounts of World War II differ as to the validity of German threats to Swiss territorial sovereignty, accounts do not differ in their general regard of the Swiss Army as a deterrent to German aggression (Wylie, 2002). Swiss neutrality during the Cold War also relied on this concept of a country in arms.…”

Section: Sweden and Switzerlandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…That may be foolish and old-fashioned, but it is fairly respectable. (Salmon, 1993: 130) During the Cold War, US Secretary of State John Foster Dulles called neutrality "an immoral and short-sighted conception" (Wylie, 2002 : 1-2).…”

Section: Neutrality and Its Roots In National Self-determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neutrality is not without its risks, particularly given the scorn that other nations heap upon the neutral state. During World War II, only five of the 22 neutrals managed to avoid being overrun by powerful neighbors or dragged into the conflict (Wylie, 2002). The evolution of modern warfare, the advent of the "total war," the rise of authoritarian doctrines that ignore international law, and the demise of collective neutrality all hinder the success of neutrality (Wylie, 2002).…”

Section: Neutrality and Its Roots In National Self-determinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I will not discuss the domestic basis for Swiss neutrality in this article. Many studies examine this topic and some of the best or more recent in English are Gabriel (2003), Wenger (2003), Wildhaber (1992), and Wylie (2002). 18.…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Choosing to Go It Alone: Irish Neutrality in Theoretical and Comparative Perspective

Jesse

2006

International Political Science Review

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Realist and liberal paradigms of foreign policy analysis offer different views of the important policy stance of neutrality. Realism explains a neutral stance as the rational calculation of a small state’s interests in the state-centered, unfriendly, self-help environment. Liberalism argues that international norms and internal dynamics lead nations to seek and maintain neutrality. This article explores the neutral foreign policy stance of the Republic of Ireland from 1938 to the present in comparison to Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Irish policy of neutrality differs from the other European neutrals in two important ways: it is unarmed neutrality and it is not impartial neutrality. I argue that domestic actors, public opinion, and governmental decision-making institutions provide an explanation for the continuing stance of neutrality. Thus, liberalism provides a better explanation for Irish neutrality than realism. The value of this study is that it illustrates in a comparative perspective the varying sources of neutrality in Europe and points to the continued usefulness of varied perspectives in understanding historical and contemporary foreign policy.

show abstract

Switzerland: a neutral of distinction?

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Neutrality as an analytical lens on language curricula? A data-based conversation on policies, discourses and their sociohistorical origins in Switzerland and South Africa

Neutrality as an analytical lens on language curricula? A data-based conversation on policies, discourses and their sociohistorical origins in Switzerland and South Africa

Choosing to Go It Alone: Irish Neutrality in Theoretical and Comparative Perspective

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About