[tpholland]

Switzerland does not have a homogenous population, and to a reasonable person who has travelled in Switzerland I think this is an insane thing to be defending. A significant proportion of the population (certainly for Europe) do not even share a common first language. Significant proportions sit on different sides of the reformation which is again a big deal for Europe. etc

[Avicebron]

Homogeneous isn't likely the correct word. Shared cultural norms and "harmonious" is often more accurately what people describe when the call a country "homogeneous".

[JumpCrisscross]

> what people describe when the call a country "homogeneous"

The Nordic countries were historically ethnically homogenous. Switzerland has been a multi-ethnic place since like the Helvetii were being picked on by Caesar.

[Teever]

I think that it's pretty obvious that the user that you're responding to is using the term 'homogenous' as a euphemism for "white"

[tpholland]

Then they should say white. I'm prepared to give a lot of leeway when conversing with non-native speakers but as somebody who has grown up within a culture that understands that the concept of cultural homogeneity cannot refer to native speakers of non-mutually-comprehensible languages or historically antithetical religious positions, if they choose to use the word in novel ways that's their problem not mine!

[philipallstar]

I'm not - not everything is about race. That's a pretty basic lesson that World War 2 taught us, that you should have learned.

[tpholland]

What did you mean when you said homogenous, given the reality of Switzerland, its history, its civil structure, its languages, and its culture?

[philipallstar]

I don't know what the exact word is - I wouldn't quite say "culture", as there are clearly different cultural backgrounds at work, but just as with Canada mixing French and Anglo traditions, there is a generally homogenous Western European metaculture at work, premised on the Enlightenment, classical liberalism, the rule of law (and equality of opportunity under the law), freedom of religion, the importance of education and hard work, private property, and personal responsibility.

[tpholland]

Ah, a generally homogenous Western European metaculture then, like that Canada! Thanks for engaging with the specifics of the Swiss Enlightenment you can keep the change

[philipallstar]

Apologies - I've no idea what you're trying to say.