Switzerland and the European Union

<p>Despite its geographical centrality and its considerable economic involvement in Europe Switzerland remains unusual in that it is neither a member of the European Union or the European Economic Area. At a time when the Union is both expanding and seeking to develop its integration the country constitutes a real anomaly amongst west European states. </p><p>This book demonstrates the range depth and complexity of Switzerland’s developing relations with Europe and provides detailed and up-to-date information on Switzerland itself. Considering a variety of dimensions of the country and its ambiguous relations with the EU the contributors all of whom are leading specialists on Swiss-EU relations explore:</p><ul> <li>the classical political obstacles to entry: federalism direct democracy neutrality and the growing strength of anti-European populism</li> <li>policy barriers to integration: in trade and economics generally in financial matters and in social provisions relating to the movement of people</li> <li>the negotiation of the two sets of bilateral accords which presently structure Swiss relations with the Union</li> <li>the EU response and the prospects for future Swiss-EU relations.</li> </ul><p><em>Switzerland and the European Union</em> will appeal to specialists on Switzerland academics and students in politics and international relations and practitioners in European integration and Swiss politics.</p>