Six Ways the Swiss are More American than America

There is a democracy on this planet. A country that believes in freedom, the power of the individual to change their world and where everyone takes an interest in the issues that shape the social landscape. Their flag flies high, the red, white and… that’s it. Red and white. The country is Switzerland, and how similar the Swiss are to Americans - or to American ideals - may surprise you.

Without further ado, here are six ways the Swiss are More American than America

#1: Democracy. ITC’s resident Schweizer, Philipp, told me that Switzerland is a direct democracy. “We vote on issues, not just on who is president,” he says. I am agog. Not since Athens has there been an actual, honest-to-goodness democracy in this world. Sorry, America - we’re a republic. We elect people to represent us and they act as they deem necessary. Or profitable, but let’s not go there. Pros: Everyone has a say in every decision Cons: Not for the lazy! As Phil put it, everyone has to really stay educated about each new idea. Imagine how hard it is on their politicians, too: they actually have to deal with a knowledgeable population!

#2: Switzerland was never invaded during World War 2. No, this isn’t because the Swiss are the ultimate tough-guys, but the Swiss have been raised to believe it was their Army and fortifications that did it. So, the real #2 reason the Swiss are so American is their false belief in their own invulnerability.

#3: Cows. Almost in every state in America and any canton in Switzerland both have… cows. Ah, the majestic moo-machine. The beautiful bovine roadblock - the furry milk maid from which springs the most American of inanimate object: the hamburger. If the Swiss flag were not red and white it would be brown with white patches, and it would moo.

#4 Beer! There are few countries in this world that can claim to love beer as much as America. In America’s past, before overnight delivery made it possible for the big breweries to deposit their foamy magnificence in every roadside bar, there was at least one brewery in every state. Most counties had their own brands as well. You can still buy these, though you may be getting something completely different: during prohibition when big companies like Anhueser Busch were able to survive by shipping to

Canada they bought up the rights to the names of the failed microbreweries and the original recipes were often lost. Mostly each canton - like a state - of Switzerland similarly has it’s own traditional beer. I have made it my personal quest to try each and every one. By the time you have finished reading this article aye weel bi spelnig lahk dis. And shounding like (hic) thish. Also like America, the big companies are buying the microbrewery’s trademarks. This I learned from Philipp - and I think I detected a tinge of sadness in his voice, and a drop in the corner of his eye.

#5 Switzerland’s got a wine region! Hey, so do we! I have a feeling that every country in the world that can grow grapes will have a wine region. I further believe that if we let them our aircraft carriers would have wineries, complete with a snobby critic with an upturned nose refusing to drink any of this rubbish. So how is this similar to America? Less than 2% of Swiss wine is exported, much like ours. While their wine is a tonic to them - just as Californian Pinot Noir is to us - it is not given much international recognition. Swiss and Californian wines both ranked highly in international competitions (both, at one time beating out the French!) but are still not given the respect they deserve. So, #5? We both rule at getting drunk off grapes, but we’re not that good at sharing.

#6 The second seat of the UN is in Geneva. America founded the United Nations and, forgive me for saying so, the Swiss have taken it to the logical next level. In America we truly believe in the unity of man, the equality of all peoples and the rule of law… but in Switzerland, they do something about it. Even if it’s just on paper. The Geneva Convention outlines the proper and humane treatment of enemy combatants and prisoners of war. While this may seem to be a strange contradiction - I mean… hello, we’re talking about a profession whose goal it is to deny others their freedom or resources by forceful and violent means - it is the work of the Swiss that has helped to hold accountable those that would needlessly abuse the members of conflict.

So there you have it, six reasons why the Swiss are actually American and don’t know it. Now for a key difference - they speak four languages. There’s a German, a French an Italian and a Rumantsch section of Switzerland. While America theoretically speaks English, Bad English, Spanish and Creole the distribution of those languages is hardly equal. What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual. One language? American.