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Difference between revisions of "Vetterliwirtschaft/copinage (Switzerland)"
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|style="font-size:1.1em;"| ''[[Vetterliwirtschaft]]'' is a widespread expression denoting mutual favours or preferential | |style="font-size:1.1em;"| ''[[Vetterliwirtschaft]]'' is a widespread expression denoting mutual favours or preferential treatment in German-speaking communities in Switzerland. It derives from the German term | ||
treatment in German-speaking communities in Switzerland. It derives from the German term | ''Vetternwirtschaft'', which literally translates as the 'cousins' economy'. Swiss-German dialects exclusively use the diminutive form ''Vetterliwirtschaft'' (i.e. signified by the suffix -li, which | ||
''Vetternwirtschaft'', which literally translates as the 'cousins' economy'. Swiss-German dialects | makes the literal meaning akin to 'little cousins' economy'). Like nepotism, ''Vetterliwirtschaft''implies the favouring of friends or family by those in a position of power. Everyone knows what is meant: ‘back-scratching’ exchanges of favours between colleagues in politics and business. | ||
exclusively use the diminutive form ''Vetterliwirtschaft'' (i.e. signified by the suffix -li, which | |||
makes the literal meaning akin to 'little cousins' economy'). Like nepotism, ''Vetterliwirtschaft'' | |||
implies the favouring of friends or family by those in a position of power. Everyone knows | |||
what is meant: ‘back-scratching’ exchanges of favours between colleagues in politics and | |||
business. | |||
|} | |} | ||
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prides itself in its egalitarian and citizen-based political system. Historically, Switzerland | prides itself in its egalitarian and citizen-based political system. Historically, Switzerland | ||
came into existence through a growing coalition of communities, as exemplified by the Swiss | came into existence through a growing coalition of communities, as exemplified by the Swiss | ||
national folk hero Wilhelm Tell. The founding legend, in which Tell assassinated a brutal | national folk hero Wilhelm Tell. | ||
The founding legend, in which Tell assassinated a brutal | |||
Habsburg ruler with his crossbow, sparking rebellion and the eventual independence of the | Habsburg ruler with his crossbow, sparking rebellion and the eventual independence of the | ||
Old Swiss Confederacy, represents the resistance of oppressed Swiss communities against the | Old Swiss Confederacy, represents the resistance of oppressed Swiss communities against the | ||
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local level. Many people running a small business, such as an electrician or a small | local level. Many people running a small business, such as an electrician or a small | ||
construction company, will also have some local political position, or have had one at some | construction company, will also have some local political position, or have had one at some | ||
time. This is where ''Vetterliwirtschaft/copinage'' comes into play: a local electrician may be | time. | ||
This is where ''Vetterliwirtschaft/copinage'' comes into play: a local electrician may be | |||
awarded the contract to rewire a municipality's public buildings without a public tender or | awarded the contract to rewire a municipality's public buildings without a public tender or | ||
clear criteria; or a local farmer may have a 'gentleman's agreement' with the village council to | clear criteria; or a local farmer may have a 'gentleman's agreement' with the village council to | ||