Mountain Regions in Swiss Politics and Policies Author(s): Werner Bätzing Source: Mountain Research and Development, 35(3):314-314. Published By: International Mountain Society DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/mrd.mm161 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1659/mrd.mm161

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European Union’s goals of “competi- theless, their wide range of topics Die schweizerischen tion, a knowledge-based economy, and probably makes it difficult for read- Berggebiete in der Politik innovation” (p 46). On the other hand, it ers who are not experts on the topic [Mountain Regions in Swiss also results from a convergence of living or not very familiar with Swiss and economic conditions in Switzer- political structures to follow the Politics and Policies] land’s mountain regions and on the book’s densely packed argumenta- By Gilles Rudaz and Bernard Swiss Plateau (p 88). Its consequences— tion. This is somewhat regrettable, Debarbieux. Translated from French project thinking, multifunctionality, because dissent among experts is (see below). Zurich, Switzerland: vdf and reduced importance of mountain- usually minor, whereas Swiss society Hochschulverlag, 2014. 136 pp. CHF specific topics (p 67)—characterize at large—where there is marked 24.00, J 21.00. Also available as an policy-making on mountain regions as dissent about the issues discussed in e-book. ISBN 978-3-7281-3604-6 well as other areas of policy-making. this book—is not among the book’s The disintegration of consensus led target audience. Likewise, interna- to the emergence of entirely new tional readers who are not familiar La montagne Suisse en perspectives on mountain regions, with Switzerland will find it difficult which often give rise to conflicts—but to follow the line of argumentation, politique less in politics than within the popula- as the book addresses many issues [Mountain Regions in Swiss tion and between different stakeholder specific to the country and explains Politics and Policies] groups (p 78). This includes a series of these specificities only briefly. referendums and popular initiatives Finally, one more thing stands out in By Gilles Rudaz and Bernard that are well known in Switzerland (pp this book. The authors rightly empha- Debarbieux. Lausanne, Switzerland: 81ff),aswellasnewkeyconcepts,such size straight at the beginning that the Presses polytechniques et as “alpine fallow lands” (p 77), “wilder- great political relevance of mountains is universitaires romandes, 2013. ness” (p 74), the “Energy Strategy 2050” specific to Switzerland (p 15). This is 128 pp. CHF 17.50. Also available as (p 64), and the “Spatial Concept for certainly a reason to concentrate on an e-book. ISBN 978-2-88915-043-4. Switzerland” (p 61). A “functionalist Switzerland when discussing perspective” that links state support for national-level mountain policies. But when it comes to the last 20 years, it This book’s main message is the the development of mountain regions following: Between 1920 and 1980, with questions of their performance in wouldhavemadesensetoputSwiss Swiss public policies on mountain the “national interest” (p 68) is new as debates into a broader context, such as areas were based on an exceptionally well and, according to the authors, “not European mountain policies or moun- strong consensus, in terms of the necessarily of benefit to mountain tain policies in the European Alps. whole country showing solidarity regions” (p 68). Comparison would have helped to show with the mountain population. This By addressing these issues, the whether there are specifically Swiss consensus began to crumble during authors—2 geographers from Geneva discussions and solutions and what they the 1980s and is fundamentally who are renowned for their work on look like, or whether they do not exist or questioned today. the Alps and on mountain policies— even do not make sense. Chapter 6, The book is structured to convey raise important questions that need to which looks beyond Switzerland, does this message. Following an introduction be clarified above all at the public level not attempt such a comparison but to the role of mountains in Swiss today. They provide an excellent basis rather describes international develop- politics, it first describes the traditional for this task and take care not to voice mentsfromaSwissperspective.In situation of consensus, which peaked in their own positions too strongly. The a nutshell: This is a small, but very the period from 1935 to 1945 (Chapters fact that the book is considered important book, which—concerning 2 and 3, per page numbers in German important in the political context recent developments—perhaps version). Next, the authors characterize becomes clear already in the forewords remains focused a little too narrowly the new situation (Chapter 4) and take by the Director of the Swiss Centre for just on Switzerland. stock of commonalities and controver- Mountain Regions (SAB) and the sies (Chapter 5). They close by addres- Executive Director of the Swiss Inter- sing the international level (Chapter 6). academic Commission for Alpine AUTHOR The authors mention 2 main rea- Studies (ICAS), who encouraged and Werner Ba¨tzing [email protected] sons for the loss of consensus on supported translation of this book Archiv fu¨r integrative Alpenforschung, mountain policies. On the one hand, from French into German. Geyerswo¨rthstr. 12, 96047 Bamberg, Germany they ascribe it to “the triumph of The book attempts to explain the neoliberal ideologies” and Switzer- background of as many political and Open access article: please credit the authors and land’s increasing adoption of the policy examples as possible. None- the full source.

Mountain Research and Development Vol 35 No 3 Aug 2015: 314–314314 http://dx.doi.org/10.1659/mrd.mm161 ß 2015 by the authors