Why civil service is essential

La journaliste Marianne Grosjean adresse un message dans chacune de ses chroniques. Ce mois-ci, elle loue l’utilité du service civil, également pour les femmes.

«Servir et disparaître». Un petit rappel à mon conjoint d’origine française de l’adage des politiciens suisses a suffi à lui chauffer la bile. «Sérieusement? En France, ce serait plutôt « profiter et perdurer »…» Evidemment, il faisait moins référence au bal des premiers ministres qu’à la classe politique en général, qui fait «revenir les petits copains en les nommant ministres en douce». Remonté, il a ensuite embrayé sur la défiance des Français envers leur gouvernement, et sur le désamour envers leur pays. Un désamour qu’il vit aussi. S’ils commencent à taxer les Français de l’étranger pour renflouer les caisses de l’Etat, je rends mon passeport», a-t-il asséné lors d’un dîner de famille, entre le saucisson brioché et les escargots.

Personally, I'd hate not to be Swiss anymore. I like the consensual things - fondue, swimming in rivers, post buses, low unemployment and the SBB network - and I also like the things that are less easily admitted in public. For example, the fact that there is no «cordon sanitaire» between the SVP and the other parties. The fact that the left can criticize the conservative party, even in a forceful way, without having to smear it by constantly associating it with fascism. In my opinion, this respect prevents the SVP and its electorate from becoming radicalized, and smoothes things over. In the same vein, I like the fact that a program like «Week-end entre ennemis», bringing together woke and anti-woke personalities by Jacob Berger and Laurence Gemperlé, can see the light of day in our country. It's unheard of for a reality show to bring together contestants who have nothing in common, to cross swords over fondue, to be moved by their opponents’ tears over breakfast, and then to kiss at mass (yes, yes!). Can you imagine the concept in France, with LFIstes and Génération Zemmour militants together? It's a guaranteed beating.

So how do we ensure that the Swiss continue to love their country just as much as their political opponents? How can we avoid the French civil situation?

Since we like best what we know best, let's introduce as many young adults as possible to Switzerland's systems and people. For example, by making civilian service compulsory for women (deemed suitable), just as it is for men who do not wish to join the army. Let's broaden the areas of action beyond health, the environment and disasters: let's send civil servants to help out on the farm, or in a family with young children who can't afford to pay an au pair, or as close caregivers to an elderly or disabled person. All this, of course, in a different linguistic region and, if possible, in a different social and geographical context: if you live in a posh loft in the Goldküste, you'll find yourself in an isolated farmhouse in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, and vice-versa.

More exotic than a European Erasmus, this plunge into another world would also be a chance for young people from dysfunctional families to experience another way of life, perhaps drawing from it the strength to aim for a different model for their adult lives. It's also a chance for the well-off to realize the difficulties faced by less well-off families on a daily basis, and to develop their empathy and understanding of social issues. Finally, a linguistic boost for all, and of course, the feeling of being useful to one's country. In short, the embodiment of the adage «serve and disappear», a useful exercise for the country's future citizens and politicians.

The journalist Marianne Grosjean addresses a message to our readers in his column.

You have just read a column published in our print edition (Le Regard Libre N°121).