This volume presents the major findings involved in a large scale research programme to describe and analyse the transformation of contemporary Swiss society. The contributions focus on three key areas: the Swiss way of life, the Swiss labour market and the country's political institutions. The chapters give an idea of current trends in Swiss society, each one framing their argument in a comparative perspective.

List of Figures List of Tables Notes on the Contributors Preface Introduction; H.Kriesi, P.Farago, M.Kohli & M.Zarin-Nejadan PART 1: THE SWISS WAY OF LIFE Relative Deprivation and Well-being: Switzerland in a Comparative Perspective; C.Suter & K.Iglesias What Pluralisation of the Life Course? An Analysis of Personal Trajectories and Conjugal Interactions in Contemporary Switzerland; E.Widmer, J.Kellerhals & R.Levy Facets of Emotion Regulation in Families with Adolescents: A New Research Approach; M.Perrez, D.Watzek, G.Michel, D.Schoebi, P.Wilhelm & Y.Hänggi The Impact of Social Inequalities on Personal Health; M.Budowski & A.Scherpenzeel PART 2: THE SWISS LABOUR MARKET Long-term Dynamics of Skill Demand in Switzerland from 1950-2000; S.Sacchi, A.Salvisberg & M.Buchmann Information Technology, Workplace Organisation and the Demand for Employees of Different Education Levels: Firm-level Evidence for the Swiss Economy; S.Arvanitis Young Adults Entering the Workforce in Switzerland: Working Conditions and Well-being; N.K.Semmer, F.Tschan, A.Elfering, W.Kälin & S.Grebner The Erosion of Regular Work: An Analysis of the Structural Changes in the Swiss and German Labour Markets; A.Diekmann & B.Jann PART 3: POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS Internationalization and Domestic Politics: Evidence from the Swiss Case; P.Sciarini & S.Nicolet Reforming the Swiss Municipalities: Efficiency or Democracy?; A.Ladner & R.Steiner The Lost Dimension of Swiss Federalism: Democracy Problems of New Regionalism in Metropolitan Areas; D.Kübler Sustainable Fiscal Policy in a Federal System: Switzerland an an Example; L.P.Feld & G.Kirchgässner References Index