*While Switzerland is great for tourists, it's closer to North Korea for its citizens.*

Oh nonsense. It is probably the only true democracy around, as people vote 4-5 times a year, on just about everything. If the people say no, the Govt can't force it.

Every Swiss male does 17 weeks army training, which means that in times of war, hundreds of thousands can be mobilised at short notice. This was one of the reasons why Hitler never invaded Switzerland during the war.

The Swiss voted against Minarets being apart of their Swiss landscape, so there is not a single mosque around which looks like a mosque. They voted against joining the EU, thank goodness for that.

That is true democracy. You all say that you want the Govt to hear you and to decide. That is exactly what the Swiss have

"Every Swiss male does 17 weeks army training, which means that in times of war, hundreds of thousands can be mobilised at short notice."

But they always claim neutrality.

"This was one of the reasons why Hitler never invaded Switzerland during the war."

No, that may have had more to do with Nazi finance from the Capitalists than anything to do with military action. There is neutrality, and then there is neutrality! Swiss style!

Paul, if you know anything about Switzerland you would know about the alps. Hitler knew perfectly well that trying to get his goods across the alps, if the Swiss army blew up every bridge, would cost him losses that he simply could not afford, for no gain. The Swiss army was one good reason for not attempting to invade the place.

Now if you reread my post you will note that I wrote "one of the reasons", not "the only reason".

The Swiss army is there purely for defence. It is indeed neutral, but claiming so is not enough to keep some dictators away, so it is a clever and effective measure.

Switzerland has issues.
It earns big with the Red Cross and UN refugee headquarters.On the down side it has to act as though it is being a global citizen by accepting refugees.
The Youth Hostel Association used to be an organisation for young first world youths to experience meeting similar people from around the world and visiting tourist destinations.
Today it has disintergrated into hostels for black homeless youths.
I stayed at the Geneva Youth Hostel a few years ago and in a dorm for ten,two white youths bedded down.In the middle of the night the other beds were filled with homeless black youths.
No wonder even the Red cross and refugee burocrats are rethinking what it means to be charitable.

Yabby there is no evidence that Hitler ever seriously contemplated invading Switzerland, although the Swiss army thing would have been a consideration it certainly would not have been a deterrent to Hitler as he thought Germany was invincible. Hitler was crazy, not completely mad, and the Nazi's had free access to Swiss banks for most of the war, which is what they wanted from Swaziland. Had Germany won the war, Swiss neutrality would have been dealt with sooner rather than later.
Sweden, also remained officially neutral during the war, but was complaint with German trade demands in particular.

All those blokes in Switzerland having guns gets up the Green nose!!