ABSTRACT
The peaceful coexistence of the various identities is the most interesting aspect of the Swiss mosaic. This chapter deals with development of this special feature of Switzerland as well as with the preconditions of keeping it alive and working. In the 19th century, industrialization raised serious new problems for Switzerland. A conflict sprung up between the cities and industrial cantons which embraced economic development and the conservative rural cantons of Inner Switzerland. In the Second World War, Switzerland was spared violent internal conflicts, because the memories of World War I were alive and this time the Swiss position was supremely personified by a French-speaking commander-in-chief, General Henri Guisan. The Swiss model of conflict resolution asked for acceptance and respect for partners as equals even in the case of diverging opinions, and regardless of size, power, and influence. The chapter looks at the presumably ethnic challenges to the Swiss system.
