Switzerland and capitalism

[Bombay]

When arguing with a capitalist, Switzerland is always brought up as a good example of a succesful capitalist economy. Is Switzerland really that rich and if so, why?

I know there is no state 100% capitalist so I need some other argument.

[eric922]

Well Social-Democracy works fairly well, but the biggest problems in are 1. It isn't achievable everywhere in the world. Some countries have to be exploited to keep the standards high in Social-Democracys. Secondly, since it maintains capitalism it is still subject to recessions and other crises.

[NewLeft]

Doesn't the Swiss banks attract foreign surplus capital from peripheral states and act as a 'tax heaven' for the international bourgeois?

[Positivist]

Well Social-Democracy works fairly well, but the biggest problems in are 1. It isn't achievable everywhere in the world. Some countries have to be exploited to keep the standards high in Social-Democracys. Secondly, since it maintains capitalism it is still subject to recessions and other crises.

I actually tried to thank this post twice.

[cynicles]

All that Nazi capital sure helped too.

[Blake's Baby]

When arguing with a capitalist, Switzerland is always brought up as a good example of a succesful capitalist economy. Is Switzerland really that rich and if so, why?

I know there is no state 100% capitalist so I need some other argument.

Yeah Switzerland's rich.

What do you mean by 'no state is 100% capitalist'? Yes it is, every state is '100% capitalist'. They all have money, commodity production, a bourgeoisie, a working class...

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

Social Democracy 'works' in the sense that it can produce a higher level of social harmony than other models, but all the contradictions of capitalism continue to exist.

[Bombay]

I guess what I meant to say is that according to the capitalists Switzerland is richer and people live better than in most european countries because it is more capitalist (lower taxes, less welfare and so on). The capitalists want lower taxes and use Switzerland as a good example why we should do it.

Is there much poverty in Switzerland? What about unemployment? Is Switzerland a wealthy country because a "weak" state?

[x-punk]

I dont know much about the country but is it not a case that because of heavy taxation and regulation in other european countries, Switzerland is an attractive place for the wealthy to stash their lucre. Moreover, you get a capitalist snowball effect - the more wealth you have, the more wealth you attract, similar to Monaco and SE England.

[Blake's Baby]

I guess what I meant to say is that according to the capitalists Switzerland is richer and people live better than in most european countries because it is more capitalist (lower taxes, less welfare and so on). The capitalists want lower taxes and use Switzerland as a good example why we should do it.

Is there much poverty in Switzerland? What about unemployment? Is Switzerland a wealthy country because a "weak" state?

All of Europe is capitalist.

Switzerland has a massive banking sector. That helps it to be a wealthy country. But yes, it has poor people in it.

It's also a major exporter of manufactured goods, and has a large chemical industry.

It's only got about 8 million people in it, and a miltary budget of $3.9 billion. That's $500 per person.

The USA has a population of 300 million and an arms budget of $1 trillion. That's $3,300 per person.

Maybe America would do better if it didn't spend 6.5 times as much on its military as Switzerland does. That $850 billion could do an awful lot to make the US a nicer place I'd guess. How about a cheque from the American government for $2,800 for every inhabitant?