How Switzerland got rich

About

This Summer School looks at the development of Switzerland into one of the richest and most globalized countries in the world.

The course director Prof. Dr. Patrick Ziltener will introduce you to the state of research and scholarly debate on “how Switzerland got rich”. You will evaluate this topic from a sociological, historical, economical, and political point of view.

As part of the program, you will have the opportunity to travel to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other scenic locations in Switzerland, including La Chaux-de-Fonds and Lucerne. You will also discover the country's political roots and its main economic sectors when visiting the capital city of Bern, as well as Nestlé, the largest food company in the world.

Course leader

Prof. Dr. Patrick Ziltener

Target group

2nd or 3rd year Bachelor students and Master students

Course aim

During the three weeks of the program, you will:

- find out how some Swiss companies evolved into big transnational corporations and how they manage to export Swiss-made goods under the condition of a strong currency, the Swiss Franc.
- find out how Switzerland, a landlocked country in the mountains, managed to establish itself as a wealthy nation state.
- learn about the humble beginnings of Medieval guilds, the origins of the banking system as well as the associational way of state-building in a world of monarchies.
- hear about early globalizers and industrializers, who pioneered hydropower, textiles and heavy machinery.
- study the Swiss labor movement, from class struggle to social partnership and welfare state.
- find out how various Swiss industries, for instance food, finance or watch-making, continue to be successful globally.

Fee info