Migration, Cultural Tensions, and Foreign Relations: Switzerland

A study of the effect of foreign immigration on cultural tensions in Switzerland & upon the country's foreign relations. It refers particularly to the postwar immigration of foreign labor. The N of aliens with labor permits reached a peak of 720,901 in 1964 (474,340 Italians, 82,320 Spaniards, 78,550 Germans). It was at first assumed that the need for foreign labor would be temporary; but time proved this assumption wrong. The Swiss began to feel alarmed by their dependence on aliens, & the dominance of Italians created fears about changes in the delicate linguistic & religious balance of their country. The announcement of a liberal immigration agreement between Switzerland & Italy in 1964 created an anti-alien agitation to which the Swiss gov yielded. Swiss firms were made to reduce the N of employed aliens, & the total/sum N of aliens with labor permits declined to 648,548 in 1966 (432,776 Italians). The claim that the linguistic & religious balance would be upset is examined; it is found to be more justified for religion than for language. But it is concluded that 'the long-run effects of the postwar influx of foreigners will be less disturbing to the ethnic & cultural equilibrium of Switzerland than has been widely feared.' The restrictions have proved effective & the permanently resident aliens can be assimilated. The relations with Italy have returned to normal. But the anti-alien agitation shows how even an old-established cultural pluralism can be easily upset. I. Langnas.