I've always had the impression that Switzerland can be regarded either as a

1. Socialist-liberal country: Socialist not in the USSR sense, but more in the Scandinavian/Nordic sense, because of the good welfare system (although not as complete as the one found in Nordic countries, where for example tertiary education is free), and disgregard of more capitalistic and laisses-faire economic models (forgive me my French). Liberal in a social sense, because of some core values of the Swiss culture (respect for personal privacy of citizens, which is a the basis of the bank secrecy; or right to euthanasia, which is another example of a state that doesn't want to decide too many things for its citizens...).
2. Or as a national-socialist country: Again, not in the Nazi sense, but in the sense of a country with a good welfare system, but also a patriotic stance of some issues, like neutrality, preservation of traditional Swiss culture, staying out from the EU, protectionism in agriculture, etc...In the latest years some of these aspects have been lost a bit (unfortunately in my POV), but there is still an higher degree of patriotism and preservation of the Swiss way of life in the country. I'm sure that even the more "internationalist" political movements in Switzerland, like the Communist parties, are still more patriotic and isolationists, if compared with the ones of their fellow neighbors (France, Italy, Germany, Austria).

I can only make a comparison between Sweden and Switzerland.

Not entirely true. You pay back a percentage of your professional earnings for pretty much the rest of your life.

I don't think tertiary education is that expensive here.

Otherwise Switzerland is quite reminiscent of Sweden. Switzerland however has better cheese, fewer outrageously hot chicks and a lot more dosh to go around. Oh, and there are fewer flagpoles in back gardens here but just as many Volvos.

Mostly grown up.

Are you saying that Nordic countries are "unpatriotic"?

Denmark is a mountainless Switzerland in retirement. Except an Avensis costs £25k

Re: the OP. It's not really an either/or.

Switzerland is unique in terms of its politics:

1) Anti-individualist politics, embodied in the Federal Council
2) Consensus politics (for this and (1) see Konkordanzsystem)
3) Neutrality in international affairs
4) Direct democracy via e.g. referendums
5) The notion of privacy

On the one hand it has a smaller state approach, allowing lower taxes. On the other hand it does have compulsory insurances and a good welfare system. At one time or another politicians from other countries will cite parts of the Swiss system as a good example of conservative or liberal (in the US sense) policies. It's more complex than that and the sum is greater than the parts.

Expensive and well functioning.

Scandinavia is more family friendly (paternity/maternity leave, etc..).

To the OP question, political preferences are very different in dif cantons, aren't they?

Switzerland is a central right liberal democracy where no-one can ever really blame a politician for anything specific as the people get to vote on any worthy or relevant issue (and a whole load of time-wasting stuff as well).

Now you see, this doesn't add up and it makes me very suspicious. Known Facts Of The World:

1. Some birds are jaw droppingly fit.
2. Fit birds like men with money.
3. Switzerland has lots of men with money.

Per se, it logically follows that switzerland should be crammed with beautiful women leading to a boom in the car repair industry due to crashes from staring.

However I see a relatively conservative car repair industry and I don't as of now, see an increase on the normal number of "stunners" on any given day out.

Any of the mathematicians on the forum care to resolve this logic ?