Part I of this series compared fiscal policy outcomes in France and Switzerland.

Part II compared Swiss and French labor laws while also looking at relative prosperity.

For the third installment in this series, here’s a look at how the two countries compare across a wide range of variables.

Next, here’s a recently shared chart looking at the growth of government debt.

The chart was probably put together to express alarm about U.K. and U.S. profligacy (very appropriate concerns).

But it also includes France and Switzerland and it’s worth noting that Switzerland not only does much better than France, it’s also the only nation on the list to actually have reduced the burden of red ink.

Maybe, just maybe, more nations should copy Switzerland and impose a spending cap (if you want to learn more about the Swiss “debt brake,” click here, here, here, here, here, here, and here)

For our final example today, let’s go to the Maddison database to compare the past 50 years of economic performance for France and Switzerland.

Lo and behold, Switzerland is both richer and growing faster.

Another example of our Anti-Convergence Club.

P.S. If you want to read positive economic analysis of Switzerland (that doesn’t include France), click here, here, and here. I also recommend this two-part video series (here and here).