Great Britain and Switzerland: Circumventing EU Supranationality ?
18 Pages Posted: 1 Jan 2020
Date Written: December 16, 2019
Abstract
As far as European integration is concerned, Great Britain and Switzerland are moving in different directions. Whereas the British intend to leave the European Union, the Swiss, in small pragmatic steps, continue to move closer. The two efforts appear to have nothing in common. But there is an interesting parallel: Both try to circumvent EU supranationality by opting for solutions that respect national sovereignty. That, as the paper argues, is unlikely to succeed because both strategies encounter numerous limitations. The optimistic sovereignty promises made by EU critics will hardly materialize. But the Swiss strategy is more rational than the British. Moving closer to the EU in small and pragmatic steps, however difficult and disappointing that at times may be, is more realistic than opting first for a total withdrawal and then having to retreat in a number of areas.
Keywords: Great Britain, Switzerland, Brexit, European Union, Supranationality
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