The independence of this little country is assured by the fact that it has long been understood by all the great powers bordering on the Alps that it’s probably in everyone’s best interests in the long term to have the key trade routes owned by a gang of ornery peasants who don’t want to be bothered by outsiders rather than having to fight over them all the time.
via The World Is Squared: Episode 1 – “Switzerland, Country of Joyce” — Crooked Timber.
Truth and Traditions 