>> I think my point is still valid.

One disproof is more important than 100 consistent examples.

In this case, Switzerland stands alone, never has allowed military bases even when Nazi Germany was camped literally on the doorstep, retained its own currency when the rest of Europe standardized, and is very wealthy and consistently has "best city to live" stats in the top 5. I might add that they also have a healthcare funding scheme that both is universal and privately executed without their world ending. So if "the 600 pound gorilla" is the explanation for their good fortune, it's not the one you referred to.

>>They exist in Spain and Greece (and New Zealand, and many countries in Europe).

OK. For interest, where is/are the US military base/s in New Zealand?

My understanding was that the US and NZ were in an ANZUS alliance after WWII and that NZ went into Korea and Viet Nam with the US, but that the plug was pulled by the US in 1984 (30 years ago) when NZ declared itself a nuclear weapon free zone. Things have thawed recently, but still no bases to my knowledge.