Business has traditionally enjoyed a pre-eminent position in the Swiss political economy. This case looks at political conflicts over chemicals and biotechnology regulation and Swiss entry into the European Economic Area, showing how the growing environmentalist movements have challenged this position and that important changes in the Swiss political economy may be imminent.
To provide a basis for discussion of the main characteristics of the Swiss economic and political systems and Swiss government-business relations, and of corporate responses to the 'politicisation' of business activities by environmentalist movements.