The position of Switzerland in international relations

The present bachelor thesis follows up the development of the Switzerland's position in the international relations. The aim of the thesis is to analyse the circumstances of the inception and the progress of permanent neutrality of a small state, their influence on its current position and especially its significance in the contemporary international system. All of the small states make efforts to find an effective security strategy at affordable costs and on the high level of the security. Switzerland is a state with marginal influence on the development of the international political scene which seeks opportunities to exercise neutrality in the current world order. The thesis is divided into four chapters, the first gives the definition of the small state and the neutrality, including its codification, rights and duties. The other three chapters focus on the distinctive case of Swiss permanent neutrality, its development, and possible threats to the future of the state. An important part of the final chapter is the criticism of Swiss neutrality and possible ways in which Switzerland could set out to retain its permanent neutrality