Cultural differences and similarities among German-, French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland and neighboring countries

Abstract

We present a comparative analysis of cultural differences between German-speaking, French-speaking and Italian-speaking Switzerland based on survey data from the European Values Study and the World Values Survey. Survey items were selected representing cultural parameters derived from a theoretical examination of cultural differences related to the individualism-collectivism paradigm and associated concepts. The family emerges here as the most important institution by which cultural differentiation can be demonstrated. Results showed that individual-family relations and child-rearing values differed significantly among the three cultural groups within Switzerland, and that this pattern corresponds to cultural differences between France, Germany, and Italy. For example, our analysis showed that bonds between parents and children were much looser in German culture than in either French or Italian culture. Further, we provide evidence that, consistent with previous research, these cultural patterns parallel differences in societal institutions like social trust, civic culture or religion.