Swiss economy: miracle for imitation
Swiss economy: miracle for imitation
The economy of Switzerland, in its unique way, has weathered global financial storms, bank crises and regional meltdowns. It is, to many, a marvel. But a miracle?
This point was taken to task at “The Swiss Economic Miracle” at swissnex Boston, a joint event with the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce, American Swiss Foundation and Harvard’s Center for European Studies.
On April 4, 2011, Harvard’s James Breiding (CEO, Kennedy School of Government), Tobias Schulze-Cleven (political scientist and visiting scholar) and Horst von Buttlar (visiting scholar and business editor, Financial Times Deutschland) joined a panel moderated by long-time swissnex Boston friend Douglas Sears, Assistant Provost at Boston University.
In 90 minutes, they thrashed out the perception that the economy of Switzerland is some kind of miracle of innovation and resilience that should be imitated by other nations. Panelists explored Switzerland’s reaction to the crisis of 2008, as well as the respective roles of the state, higher education, immigrants and Swiss living abroad.
There was copious input from the diverse audience, which comprised both students and high-level professions like Steven Hoch, newly appointed president of the American Swiss Foundation and Nestle SA Board member.
Such was the intensity of the discussion, which lasted well into the night in conversation over a seemingly inexhaustible Swiss buffet—perhaps a metaphor for that miracle we mentioned?
