Uniquement en allemand
Only in German
30.07.2025
Andreas Müller
Andreas Müller
Isabel Schuler
Isabel Schuler
Fiona Schärer
Fiona Schärer
Raphael Bret, Pavlos Frouzakis, Silvana Grunder, Aurora Palanza und Lorenzo Zambelli

A new definition of home: narratives of a changing Switzerland

A new definition of home: narratives of a changing Switzerland

National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. They provide orientation, enhance a sense of identity and are politically effective. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. The idea of a Switzerland capable of compromise and reform, an international and neutral Switzerland, a Switzerland close to nature or based on the principle of solidarity, as well as the Swiss economic model, are well received across the board by different parties and sections of the population. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive. The study was commissioned by Pro Futuris, the Think + Do Tank of the Swiss Society for the Common Good, at the Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich.
National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. They provide orientation, enhance a sense of identity and are politically effective. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. The idea of a Switzerland capable of compromise and reform, an international and neutral Switzerland, a Switzerland close to nature or based on the principle of solidarity, as well as the Swiss economic model, are well received across the board by different parties and sections of the population. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive. The study was commissioned by Pro Futuris, the Think + Do Tank of the Swiss Society for the Common Good, at the Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich.
National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. They provide orientation, enhance a sense of identity and are politically effective. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. The idea of a Switzerland capable of compromise and reform, an international and neutral Switzerland, a Switzerland close to nature or based on the principle of solidarity, as well as the Swiss economic model, are well received across the board by different parties and sections of the population. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive. The study was commissioned by Pro Futuris, the Think + Do Tank of the Swiss Society for the Common Good, at the Department of Political Science at the University of Zurich.
National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive.
National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive.
National narratives shape how a country talks about itself. The study entitled “Heimat neu erzählen – Narrative der Schweiz im Wandel” (“A new definition of home – narratives of a changing Switzerland”) shows that despite political differences, key narratives about Switzerland meet with broad approval. And yet it is clear that these narratives are also divisive.

Partnerships

This project was implemented in collaboration with the following partners:
IPZ Universität Zürich
Together with students from the IPZ at the University of Zurich, we wrote and published the “Geschichte der Heimat” (“History of the Homeland”) study as part of a Capstone course
IPZ Universität Zürich
Together with students from the IPZ at the University of Zurich, we wrote and published the “Geschichte der Heimat” (“History of the Homeland”) study as part of a Capstone course
IPZ Universität Zürich
Together with students from the IPZ at the University of Zurich, we wrote and published the “Geschichte der Heimat” (“History of the Homeland”) study as part of a Capstone course

Funding partnerships

Finanzierungs-partnerschaften

For the implementation of this project, we were able to count on the financial support of the following partners:
IPZ Universität Zürich
Together with students from the IPZ at the University of Zurich, we wrote and published the “Geschichte der Heimat” (“History of the Homeland”) study as part of a Capstone course
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Newsletter

Andreas Müller
Isabel Schuler
Fiona Schärer