General feeling of security: This year the Swiss electorate is markedly more opti-mistic regarding Switzerland’s future. The global political situation, too, is seen as significantly less bleak. Still, the Swiss do not expect the global political situation to improve in 2013 either. On the other hand, the level of optimism in Switzerland as well as the perceived level of security are above average.
Trust in institutions: After the previous year’s general surge in the index of confi-dence in Swiss institutions, this year the level remains above the long-term average.
Only confidence in political parties has increased significantly on average since the previous year. The ranking of confidence levels remains unchanged in the higher and lower positions: high confidence in the police and the courts, low confidence in the political parties and media.
Homeland security: Again, this year witnesses high levels of support for mea-sures such as fighting and penalizing hooliganism, monitoring the share of foreign nationals as well as using the armed forces to ensure law and order. A little over half the population endorses violent breakups of demonstrations. The population is divided on measures such as tightening access controls to public buildings and whether or not police should be allowed to tap telephones and private computers.
A curfew for adolescents after midnight meets with disapproval.
Autonomy and willingness to open up: The continuing bleak global outlook goes hand in hand with the wish of the Swiss population to remain politically and economically autonomous. The marked EU skepticism, which has been observed since 2011, remains unchanged. Calls for closer ties with Nato, too, remain at a low level. Still, absolute autonomy is rejected. Compared to the long-term average, in 2013 there are high approval rates for economic cooperation with the EU, the concerns of the UN, increasing foreign aid, and strengthening the humanitarian commitment of Switzerland.
Neutrality: Abolishing Swiss neutrality remains unthinkable: Indeed, neutrality is supported by 94% of the Swiss population, and thus remains unchanged com-pared to the previous year. Since January 2002 approval rates of neutrality by the Swiss population have tended to increase. The solidarity and identity functions of
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neutrality are still very popular. The security function of neutrality is also approved of by a majority, albeit at a lower level. Moreover, particularly the credibility of armed neutrality is challenged.
Armed forces: The Swiss electorate’s attitude towards the armed forces remains unchanged this year, with the exception of its attitudes towards defense structure.
A majority of the population deems the armed forces necessary. The number of Swiss citizens who want to abolish the armed forces remains low. Confidence in the armed forces and satisfaction with their performance also remain constant compared to the previous year. Like in the previous year’s study, an equal number of people demand defense budget cuts or approve the budget, respectively. There is a marked change in attitude when it comes to defense structure. This year a signifi-cantly lower percentage of voters prefers an all-volunteer force over militia-armed forces. Currently only every third voter – markedly less than in 2012 – wants to abolish general conscription. Moreover, confidence in an all-volunteer force has significantly declined on average compared to 2011.
Alternative service models: Asked about alternative service models, a clear major-ity of the Swiss population endorses compulsory general service for men with a free choice between military, civilian or social service. Significantly less popular is the idea to make such a service compulsory for women, too. The statement, whereby Switzerland should maintain general conscription and not introduce a compulsory general service splits the population into two camps of equal size. Only a minority favors making military service compulsory for women and foreign nationals. The idea of abolishing conscription and compulsory general service simultaneously is least popular.
Positive and negative aspects of general conscription: The Swiss population tends to endorse all positive aspects of general conscription listed: General conscription is considered positive because during military service abilities such as social skills can be acquired. A majority also thinks that general conscription fosters national and regional cohesion. General conscription is commonly perceived to be good and just, because all men are obliged to serve. A negative view of general conscription, however, whereby men are obliged to serve while women can do so voluntarily, is not endorsed by a majority. Negative aspects focusing on the costs of general conscription for the individual as well as for the Swiss economy divide the Swiss population. A minority criticizes general conscription because, so the argument goes, it leads to insufficiently trained, badly selected and expensive armed forces.
Executive Summary
Compatibility of military service and professional life: The previous year’s positive attitude towards compatibility of military service and professional life is reflected in this year’s survey. Again, the Swiss electorate is convinced that military service and professional life are compatible. A possible negative influence of mili-tary service on professional life is rejected. A majority of Swiss citizens thinks that employers back military service.