Among Western European countries Switzerland currently has the most restric
ted, and most insecure, access to the EC Single Market. How can one explain
this uncomfortable position? In contrast to the widespread interpretation
that focuses on the blocking role of core domestic political institutions,
this study provides a more nuanced analysis of the sources of variation in
foreign policy making, carefully examining the influence of perceptions on
the design of policy lines. Switzerland's stance toward the process of Euro
pean integration, from the late 1950s to the late 1990s, has been the resul
t of trade-offs between perceived risks and opportunities, with no clearly
predetermined outcome from domestic political structures. Misperceptions ab
out the range of feasible options at the external level have often reinforc
ed domestic political difficulties and even at times overshadowed them. Dom
estic institutional reform is not a prerequisite to marriage with the EC in
the near future. But there is an urgent need for a government with a firm
steering capacity and willingness.