Just One of the Gang

Ever since disgruntled citizens of Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden swore their nation's founding oath of confederation in 1291, Switzerland has reveled in remaining an Alpine stronghold, happily cut off from political and economic turmoil in the world's lower realms. Fear of weakening the country's vaunted neutrality, independence and grass-roots democracy has kept Switzerland out of nato, the European Union and almost every other political alliance dreamed up by the world's multilateralists. That could change this weekend, when voters decide whether the country should finally join an organization it has hosted for 55 years: the United Nations. If the vote is...