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This paper argues that economic competition and political contestability are two key determinants of the successful development of the Swiss economy in the nineteenth and twentieth century. We describe how Switzerland evolved from a relatively poor country with no natural resources and net emigration in 1800 to one of the richest countries of the world two hundred years later. Based on quantitative and qualitative evidence, we argue that early internationalization, open and flexible markets as well as a high degree of competition were crucial for the development of the Swiss economy. In addition, the Swiss political system with its direct democratic elements and the implemented principle of subsidiarity created political contestability that maintained government efficiency and led to political stability throughout history. The combination of these elements seems to explain the Swiss success, but also to make it difficult for other countries to adopt.

Die Frage der Zulassung von Parallelimporten von patentierten Gütern wird in der Schweiz kontrovers diskutiert. Medikamente stellen dabei einen Spezialfall der Güter mit Patentschutz dar, da die Preise für Medikamente in allen westlichen Ländern durch staatliche Behörden direkt oder indirekt reguliert und beeinflusst werden. Dieser Sonderstellung hat zur Folge, dass eine einfache Textbuchanalyse nicht ausreicht, um die Effekte einer bestimmten Politik auf den Medikamentenmarkt richtig abzuschätzen. Das komplexe System aus hohen Anfangsinvestitionen, Patentschutz, Konkurrenten und vor allem den Preisregulatoren, die in verschiedenen nationalen Ausprägungen eine entscheidende Rolle spielen, verlangen nach einer spezifischeren Analyse. Diese wurde in einem WWZ Projekt vorgenommen und bildet den Inhalt des vorliegenden Forschungsberichts.

This article challenges the view that a lack of competition and a high level of regulations are the main causes of Switzerland's high prices. First, we point out a number of stylized facts which are inconsistent with this popular view. Second, we econometrically asses the "competition-regulation hypothesis" together with the well-established determinants from the real exchange rate literature in a panel of 22 OECD countries from 1970 to 2004. We find that changes in the terms of trade and the degree of openness, and to a minor extent in government expenditures and the current account, explain the movements in the Swiss real exchange rate reasonably well over the last 35 years. Changes in regulations and competition as well as in relative productivities perform poorly as explanatory variables.

This book offers a comprehensive and insightful reflection on David Ricardo's ingenious theory of international trade. Divided into three parts, Part I presents the "birthday boy", his concept and the many applications and insights that have been derived from it, particularly in modern times. Part II explores in depth important aspects of the Ricardian trade theory through the eyes and experience of leading experts on international trade theory, taking into account the latest research in the field. Lastly, Part III discusses critique and shortcomings of the existing trade theory and proposes future developments in the light of the current globalization challenges.