| Introduction | | | | between the years 2005 and 2006. Its growth rate |
| China, being a newly developed state has a number | | | | diminished between 2006 and 2007. However, the |
| of issues that it can learn from their Swiss | | | | drop was not too marginal as the country has |
| counterparts. This is because Switzerland's economic, | | | | managed to keep a lid on constant changes in |
| political, social and environmental situations differ | | | | population compositions. However, in China, the same |
| significantly from China's. the essay shall examine | | | | issue has not occurred. China introduced a measure |
| these lessons under the our subheadings and an | | | | that would reduce population growth rates ad thus |
| overall recommendation will be given at the end of it. | | | | introduced the one-child-policy. While this created |
| What China can learn from Switzerland's political | | | | short term benefits of controlling rising populations, |
| situation | | | | the country's youth population has drastically |
| The Chinese government has com a long way from | | | | diminished. This is one of the reasons why the |
| its darker days in the eighties where the country had | | | | dramatic years of China's economy have disappeared. |
| been grappling with an oppressive regime. While | | | | (Brooks and Tao, 2007) China can learn from their |
| Switzerland may not be perfect in this area, China | | | | counterpart in Switzerland by controlling their |
| could emulate the Swiss government's commitment | | | | population in such a manner that their economy will |
| to fighting corruption. In the world accountability | | | | not be affected by it. |
| index, Switzerland has been ranked as one of the | | | | In terms of China's social system, there are a number |
| most accountable countries in the globe. According to | | | | of pointers that China could borrow from Switzerland. |
| recent surveys, government officials ensure that tax | | | | For instance, they ought to relax government control |
| payer's money are allocated to the right projects or | | | | in religion. Time and time again, the Chinese |
| schemes. China did not rank very well in this survey | | | | government has been accused by international media |
| thus indicating that the Chinese government still has | | | | and local critics of its excessive religious control. The |
| to tackle numerous cases of corruption within its | | | | reason behind this is that China perceives religion as a |
| ranks. By encouraging transparency, then resources | | | | threat to their socialist system. So in response to |
| will be allocated to those who rightfully deserve them | | | | this, China instituted a mechanism that registers |
| thus propagating economic stability and soundness. | | | | religions. As if this is not enough, the government has |
| The Chinese political scene has been characterized by | | | | instituted policies that governs the way those |
| the Communist party and its regime for over three | | | | religions are run so that they can reinforce their |
| decades. This regime is still currently running the | | | | definition of social stability. The Chinese government |
| government. While that government has been able to | | | | believes that they ought to look for ways in which |
| achieve much economically, it has not upheld | | | | they can work together with religions so that they |
| democratic principles. For instance, the party has | | | | can institute patriotism within those systems. To |
| been accused of tyranny by many Chinese voters. | | | | demonstrate the Chinese government's instance on |
| These groups have asserted that Chinese elections | | | | this issue, one only has to visit religious seminaries |
| are not held fairly and this is definitely interrupting real | | | | where young leaders are expected to be educated |
| democracy. Many individuals in China are suffering as | | | | politically and socially as dictated by the government. |
| the country has been marred by protests against the | | | | (John, 2006) |
| government. For instance, laborers oppose the | | | | However, the Chinese government could be dragging |
| communist party's stance on labor relations and | | | | down their citizens by pursuing such a method, this is |
| worker' rights. The government's representatives | | | | because in order to respect the freedom of their |
| have responded to these protests by claiming that | | | | citizens, any government needs to realize the fact |
| China cannot be a replica of western states. | | | | that politics and religion are separate entities as is the |
| However, this is the point where the Chinese | | | | case in Switzerland. Political institutions in Switzerland |
| government is gravely mistaken; there is a reason | | | | hardly interfere in the running of religious affairs |
| why the people within their country are not happy at | | | | unless those acts are contravening the rights of |
| all with the way the government is running its affairs | | | | other citizens. The Chinese government seems to be |
| and why the people of Switzerland seem to be more | | | | operating in fear of religious leaders claiming that |
| content with their government. The Chinese | | | | these leaders can destabilize the government or even |
| government needs to change the way they operate | | | | overthrow it. The following quote illustrates just how |
| by instituting true democracy. | | | | serious this problem is; |
| In Switzerland, true democracy is depicted by the | | | | "…since the 1980's some pernicious organizations |
| fact that this government is one of the mot stable | | | | have sprung up in certain areas of China which |
| institutions thought out the world.( Wolf et al, 2007) | | | | engage in illegal and even criminal activities under the |
| This is because the system has managed to garner | | | | signboard of religion. Some of the heads of these |
| representations from a series of political | | | | pseudo-religions distort religious doctrines, create |
| representatives within the country. These include the | | | | heresies, deceive the masses, refuse to obey the |
| following | | | | State's laws and decrees, and incite people to |
| - Swiss people's party | | | | overthrow the government " |
| - Christian Democratic people's party | | | | (Chinese governed White paper , 1997) |
| - Social Democratic party | | | | The latter assertions only serve to create an |
| - Free Democratic party | | | | atmosphere of tension between the Chinese people |
| The country is careful to ensure that the executive | | | | and their governors. A much safer approach would |
| has two representatives from each of these parties | | | | be the Swiss methodology. This country ensures that |
| except the Swiss people party which only has one | | | | their respective citizens can follow and religious |
| representative. While this arrangement has not been | | | | denomination that they wish. Even in state owned |
| perfect, it has gone along way in ensuring that the | | | | institutions, the same practice is followed. In |
| Swiss government's executive represents the | | | | Switzerland, children are taught religious subjects; |
| interests of its people. Even when one member has | | | | however, those who come from different religions |
| to be ousted, usually, another person coming from a | | | | do not have to attend those classers. Additionally, |
| similar linguistic groups and similar party is chosen to | | | | the country recognizes the fact that atheists do |
| represent him/her. This system of government has | | | | exist and those who come from such backgrounds |
| been in place ever since the year 1959 to date (with | | | | are not required to attend class. This example |
| some minimal change in 2003). China should consider | | | | illustrates just how much the Swiss government is |
| such an alternative. They have the option of creating | | | | committed to religious freedom. Additionally, the |
| a system that allows true democracy by | | | | Swiss constitution is the overriding determinant of |
| representing the views of its people. The Chinese | | | | religious practices. No single individual (including |
| system should be altered in such a way that they | | | | government officials) are allowed to oppress another |
| incorporate people representation in certain arms of | | | | person's right to freedom of religion. In this country, |
| the executive. It may not be plausible to ape the | | | | no one is above the law. However, in China, it seems |
| entire system but incorporating elements of such a | | | | as though the constitution seems like a side show |
| system in the Chinese government would go a long | | | | when the government has decided to take a stance |
| way in instituting economic freedom. | | | | on a certain religious issue. China should follow Swiss' |
| China's major problem lies in the fact that they do | | | | example by making all government officials and |
| not acknowledge the importance of democratic | | | | representatives accountable through the constitution. |
| institutions. The communist party is governed by | | | | (ICRF, 2002) |
| communist ideals. As it has been seen in other parts | | | | Switzerland's respect for other person can be seen |
| of the world such as the Soviet Union, communism | | | | by the fact that the government has created a |
| only serves to destroy the very people that it | | | | number of organizations that facilitate meditation of |
| intends to help/protect. The Chinese government | | | | such issues in cases where oppression of people's |
| could learn from their Swiss counterparts in that the | | | | rights occur. These projects include |
| rights of the common man need to take precedence. | | | | - Federal Service for Combating racism |
| While the Chinese government does not impose its | | | | - Local consultation centers |
| rules directly upon it people, there is considerable | | | | - Centre for tolerance in Bern |
| evidence to show that it does so behind the scenes. | | | | - Semitism tolerance projects |
| The government should look out for the overall good | | | | - etc |
| of the citizen rather than maintaining its personal | | | | The Swiss government recognizes the fact that |
| interests. | | | | society will always have divisions. One of the most |
| China's policies have also come into question owing to | | | | prevalent cases is racism, which the government has |
| the way the government has tackled some of their | | | | tackled through the latter mentioned programs. The |
| opposing forces. A case in point is the issue of Tibet. | | | | Federal Service for Combating racism was set up by |
| Tibet and the Communist party have been in | | | | the Swiss government to deal with anti Semitism |
| constant clashes from as a far back as the twentieth | | | | within society. This organization is found in all the |
| century. In the mid fifties, Tibet came into serious | | | | twenty six states/cantons of Switzerland. |
| confrontation with the Chinese government thus | | | | Consequently, it is now possible for victims of racial |
| necessitating the Tibetan leader's exile. This Tibetan | | | | prejudice to get help from these government |
| leader has been in constant clashes with the Chinese | | | | institutions. The latter program was instituted in the |
| government advocating for independence of Tibet | | | | year 2002. It began performing its function by |
| through peaceful resolutions. The Chinese | | | | creating local centers that would make it easier for |
| government's faults on handling this issue came to | | | | victims of religious or racial prejudice to report their |
| the fore when some people were forcefully arrested | | | | cases and seek counseling. In order to demonstrate |
| and injured prior to the 2008 Olympics. This matter | | | | the government's commitment to the issue of |
| brings out the fact that the Chinese government still | | | | eradicating religious or racial discrimination, the |
| has a long way to go in terms of addressing the | | | | government allocated fifteen million Swiss Francs to |
| problems of its citizenry. China has severely | | | | be used in those local centers during the year 2002. |
| undermined the rights of the Tibetan people by failing | | | | The Chinese government can also learn from such an |
| to listen to their leader (The Dalai Lama) regardless | | | | experience by creating systems that enhance racial |
| of the fact that this leader is in fact looking for | | | | or religious accountability. However, since the problem |
| peaceful resolutions to the problems between the | | | | of religious freedom is more pressing than any other |
| two groups. | | | | form of discrimination (Ze, 2008) then the Chinese |
| In relation to the Tibetan crisis, the Chinese | | | | government can look for ways of instituting such a |
| government could borrow a leaf from Switzerland. | | | | program. They could first start by changing their |
| When Switzerland is faced with any problems that | | | | constitution to create room for tackling religious |
| affect a large number of people, then they usually | | | | discrimination. They should then make the constitution |
| apply the system of direct democracy. Direct | | | | supreme over other interest groups. A neutral party |
| democracy is unique to Switzerland owing to the fact | | | | could be appointed to look into these cases of |
| that any member of the nation can change state | | | | discrimination and if government officials are found |
| policies if they can demonstrate firm support for the | | | | guilty of the same, they should be ousted from their |
| policy from the rest of the population. All one has to | | | | respective positions. This neutral coordinating body |
| do is garner fifty thousand signatures within a period | | | | could inform the populace about the availability of |
| of one hundred days. The issue is then taken to | | | | such mechanisms. It could also assure and ensure |
| parliament where it is directed to the people. The | | | | that those who are courageous enough to report |
| nation is usually required to vote on the matter on | | | | religious discrimination are protected from persecution. |
| one day and if the issue receives a majority vote, | | | | Religious freedom has been a major problem in the |
| then it is passed into law. Additionally, Swiss citizens | | | | Chinese economy but through a Swiss- like model, |
| have the right to amend any part of the constitution | | | | China can be well on its way to instituting greater |
| which they feel does not represent their rights if | | | | respect for human rights. |
| they can garner one hundred thousand signatures in | | | | What China can learn from Switzerland's |
| period of eighteen months. This scheme is called the | | | | environmental situation |
| general initiative and allows citizens to question certain | | | | Environmental controls in Switzerland are some of the |
| laws. Usually, the government itself has a right to | | | | most efficient in the world. This is because the |
| field counterproposal s on the same day that the | | | | government has demonstrated their commitment to |
| voting is to take place. It should be noted that the | | | | fighting environmental degradation. The Chinese |
| counterproposal is not something that is totally | | | | poplutaion harbors some of the highest numbers of |
| opposite a citizen's proposal, instead, it is an attempt | | | | consumers in the world. This also means that such |
| to change some of the wording of the amendment. | | | | individuals are bound to affect their environment to a |
| A national vote is usually conducted and if voters | | | | greater extent than their counterparts in Switzerland. |
| decide for the issue, then it is passed. | | | | The Chinese government has tried instating |
| China is faced with the problem of tackling the | | | | mechanisms that curb excessive environmental |
| Tibetan question. They could institute such a | | | | degradation but it appears as though these |
| mechanism for this particular only the Tibetan conflict | | | | mechanisms are not in line with the prevailing situation |
| (since it might be difficult trying to create direct | | | | on the ground. (Jung, 2007) |
| democracy within the country for all matters). They | | | | In terms of wood consumption, China has been |
| could apply similar rules and give the Chinese public | | | | accused of felling a large number of trees in Brazil in |
| the right to vote for or against granting Tibet | | | | order to feed the needs of its paper industries. The |
| independence. | | | | government has not done anything to curb this |
| What China can learn from Switzerland's economic | | | | problem. Additionally, industrial emissions from this |
| situation | | | | country are also at soaring levels owing to the fact |
| Income inequalities are still a very serious issue in | | | | that it is major export hub. Some of the most |
| China even after its successful years between 2002 | | | | common household commodities in the world are |
| to 2007. The reason why these inequalities arose | | | | made in China. So far, the Chinese government has |
| was that unlike the Swiss government, the Chinese | | | | introduced only minimal measures that could assist in |
| governed has a direct approach to controlling the | | | | controlling the levels of these emissions. |
| country's economy. This could be the reason why | | | | China could learn from the Swiss environmental laws |
| China is facing some challenges here and there. For | | | | because the latter government has carbon limits for |
| instance before the economic boom, the Chinese | | | | various emitting sources. Also, industries that require |
| government had created certain programs that made | | | | scarce raw material, must demonstrate environmental |
| citizens dependant on the former. Consequently, | | | | accountability by depicting public good will. (Ortalano |
| when the government abruptly changed their stance, | | | | and Ma, 2000) |
| unemployment rates began soaring and income | | | | In terms of energy use, China has a huge demand |
| inequalities plummeted. China can adopt the Swiss | | | | for gas used to drive their automobiles. Most of |
| government's approach to economic governance. | | | | these automobiles have little or no room for filtering |
| (Economy watch, 2008) The Swiss government | | | | carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Also, Chinese |
| rarely makes abrupt policy changes that would | | | | consumers have not considered some of the fuel |
| destabilize the entire macro-economic system. This is | | | | saving methodologies that they could use to curb |
| because they realize that doing this may cause short | | | | excess green house gases in the atmosphere. The |
| term benefits but bring about greater problems in the | | | | Swiss government has been very keen on this and |
| long run. (SSE, 2007) | | | | their approach could serve as lesson to the Chinese |
| As it is currently, the Chinese economy is still widely | | | | government in the future. In Switzerland many |
| driven by certain controllers of capital. When one | | | | automobiles have installed carbon filtering devices and |
| wants to export commodities from China, they | | | | thus emit minimal carbon into the atmosphere. |
| usually have to take advantage of a network of | | | | Conclusion |
| friends or family that are located in other parts of | | | | Switzerland is politically, economical, socially and |
| the world (especially within the Asian continent) so as | | | | environmentally stable. It has also been recognized as |
| to succeed in foreign market. Usually, these networks | | | | a first world state for a much longer period than |
| are created by individuals who have links to the | | | | China. Consequently, the latter have a lot that they |
| government; they are the controllers of capital and | | | | could learn from the former. The main political lesson |
| they ensure that capital remains within their confines. | | | | that they can learn from Swiss is by instituting |
| Such an approach to doing business is quite | | | | greater democracy. The communist party may seem |
| detrimental to the country. Even non governmental | | | | effective externally, but it is greatly hurting it people. |
| organizations formed to check on the government's | | | | Socially, China can learn from Switzerland by curbing |
| mechanisms for controlling trade are state owned. | | | | religious discrimination. This can be done by creating |
| One is therefore left to wonder how any entity can | | | | laws that hold the government accountable. |
| hope to create free flowing economic policies when it | | | | Economically, China can learn from Switzerland by |
| is owned by the same entity that it is supposed to | | | | separating politics from the economy as is the case |
| check. Some economists have asserted that in China, | | | | today in China. Lastly, the Chinese government ought |
| it is exceedingly difficult to separate the state and | | | | to be more vigilant about its environmental polices like |
| the economy as the two are one and the same | | | | their counterparts in Switzerland. (Ortalano and Ma, |
| thing. Such an approach of doing business can be | | | | 2000) |
| effective when policies created are for the good of | | | | Reference |
| the country. But in the long term, this system leaves | | | | Brooks and Tao (2007); China's Labor Market |
| too much power in the hands of certain well | | | | Performance and Challenges, IMF working paper 03 |
| connected individuals who are bound to abuse it. | | | | 210, International Monetary Fund |
| China could learn from their Swiss counterparts who | | | | John B. (2006); Understanding China: A Guide to |
| operate under a free market economy. Issues such | | | | China's Economy, History and Political Structure, |
| as economic networks are uncommon among the | | | | Prentice Hall |
| Swiss people regardless of the fact that Switzerland | | | | Jung W. (2007); Environmental impact of |
| engages in a lot of international trade. It should be | | | | industrialization in East Asia; Springer Publishers |
| noted here, that when a corporation is to be set up | | | | Loren, C. et al (2008); Growth and Structural |
| in another part of the world, then that entrepreneur | | | | Transformation in China, Cambridge University Press |
| must operate under the prevailing economic | | | | Ortalano, L and Ma, X (2000): Environmental |
| conditions rather than depending on personal | | | | Regulation in China: institutions, enforcement and |
| connections. This has encouraged equitability in | | | | compliance; Rowman & Littlefield |
| resource distribution and this is on of the reasons | | | | (SSE, 2007): China stock market; Retrieved from |
| why the Swiss economy is very stable. | | | | Wolf, L. et al (2007); Handbook of Swiss Politics, |
| What China can learn from Switzerland's social | | | | Neue Zürcher Zeitung Publishing |
| situation | | | | ICRF (2002): Religious freedom in Switzerland, |
| (Economy watch, 2008)it can be seen above, | | | | retrieved from accessed on 24th September |
| Switzerland's population growth rate was 0.4 % | | | | Ze, H. |