Anton Pelinka Livres

This book describes and analyzes the many faces of Austria, past and present. Anton Pelinka comes to terms with the myriad perceptions of Austria: the legacy of the Austria of the Habsburgs, which dominated Central Europe until World War I; the Austria of Hitler, from which sprouted Nazism; post-1945 Austria, much less spectacular than earlier eras, but more predictable; and the Austria of today, struggling with its role within Europe as a small country on the eastern fringe of Europe's sphere of prosperity.Focusing his investigation on the Austria that has emerged from World War II, Pelinka underscores the social, economic, cultural, and political developments behind the period of transition that followed. The book emphasizes the general decline of the traits considered as typically Austrian, from Austrian Catholicism and social partnership to permanent neutrality and Austrian social democracy. As the millennium approaches, Austria resembles the other small democracies of Western Europe much more closely than its own regal past.

After Stalin's death, during a respite in Cold War tensions in 1955, Austria managed to rid itself of a quadripartite occupation regime and become a neutral state. As the Cold War continued, Austria's policy of neutrality helped make this small country into an important mediator of East-West differences, and neutrality became a crucial part of Austria's postwar identity. In the post-Cold War era Austrian neutrality seems to demand redefinition. The work addresses such issues as what neutrality means when Austria's neighbors are joining NATO? What is the difference between Austrian neutrality in 1955 and 2000? In remaining apart from NATO, do Austrian elites risk their nation's national security? Is Austria a "free rider," too stingy to contribute to Western defense? Has the neutralist mentalit become such a crucial part of Austrian postwar identity that its abandonment will threaten civil society? These questions are addressed in this latest in the prestigious Contemporary Austrian Studies series. The volume emerged from the Wittgenstein Research Center project on "Discourse, Politics, and Identity," an interdisciplinary investigation of the meaning of Austrian neutrality. The first two chapters analyze the current meaning of Austrian neutrality. Karin Liebhart records narrative interviews with former presidents Rudolf Kirchschlger and Kurt Waldheim, both central political actors present at the creation and implementation of Austria's postwar neutrality. Gertraud Benke and Ruth Wodak provide in-depth analysis of a debate on Austrian National Television on "NATO and Neutrality," a microcosm of Austrian popular opinion that exposed all positions and ideological preferences on neutrality. The historian Oliver Rathkolb surveys international perceptions of Austrian neutrality over the past half-century. For comparative contrast David Irwin and John Wilson apply Foucault's theoretical framework to the history and debates on neutrality in Ireland. Political scientists Heinz Grtner and Paul Luif provide examples of how Austrian neutrality has been handled in the past and today. Michael Gehler analyzes Austria's response to the Hungarian crisis of 1956 and Klaus Eisterer reviews the Austrian legation's handling of the 1968 Czechoslovak crisis. Gnter Bischof is professor of history and executive director of Center Austria at the University of New Orleans. Anton Pelinka is professor of political science at the University of Innsbruck and director of the Institute of Conflict Research in Vienna. Ruth Wodak is professor in the linguistics department at the University of Vienna and director of the research center "Discourse, Politics, Identity" at the Austrian Academy of Science.

The book examines the rise of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) and its implications for Austrian politics, particularly in light of the Waldheim Affair and the party's significant electoral success in 1999. It delves into the FPOe's origins and its establishment by former Nazis, analyzing whether its ascent reflects a unique Austrian situation or aligns with wider social and political shifts occurring across Europe. The exploration offers insights into nationalism, political identity, and the changing landscape of European politics.

The transformation of twentieth-century Austria is marked by significant political, economic, social, and cultural modernization. Innovations like the assembly line revolutionized business practices post-World War I, paralleling the impact of the Marshall Plan after World War II. Austrian society embraced American cultural influences, including jazz, Hollywood, and television, while political campaigns mirrored U.S. trends. This Western Europeanization culminated in Austria's accession to the European Union in 1995, distinguishing its path from that of West Germany.

The biography explores Franz Vranitzky's influential decade as chancellor from 1986 to 1996, a period marked by significant global shifts following the Cold War. It delves into his transformation from banker to politician and examines his role in navigating Austria through political and economic changes, highlighting his contributions to the nation during a time of uncertainty and transition. The narrative provides insights into his leadership style and the challenges he faced in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.

Focusing on the life of Subhas Chandra Bose, the book delves into the social and cultural dynamics that have shaped India's democracy. It examines Bose's significant influence on the nation both prior to and following independence, highlighting how his contributions reflect broader themes within Indian society. Through this lens, the work offers insights into the unique factors that have enabled India's democratic success.

The book explores the authoritarian regimes of Chancellors Dollfuss and Schuschnigg in Austria between 1933 and 1938, a period marked by the controversial term "Austrofascism." It delves into the political dynamics and ideological battles surrounding these governments, highlighting the left's denunciation and the right's defense of their policies as a Christian corporate state. Through this analysis, the work sheds light on the complexities of Austrian political identity during a tumultuous time in history.

According to Pelinka, Jaruzelski's politics of democratization in Poland in the 1980s (which led to the first free and competitive elections in a communist system) illustrate personal leadership hampered by democracy. Jaruzelski initiated the roundtable process that transformed Poland into a democracy; yet, this process ultimately ended with his abdication.

Der Sammelband, entstanden auf Initiative des österreichischen Wissenschaftsministeriums, thematisiert die Entwicklung Mitteleuropas von der Zeit des Fin de Siècle bis zur Gegenwart. Anlässlich des 100. Todestages von Kaiser Franz Joseph I. haben sich renommierte Historiker und Politologen engagiert beteiligt. Die Motivation zur Auseinandersetzung mit der Rolle des Subkontinents reicht von der Habsburger-Monarchie über den Eisernen Vorhang bis zum EU-Beitritt der einzelnen Staaten, wobei nationale Identifikationen mit dem supranationalen Gründungsmythos Europas im Fokus stehen. Der Band ist in zwei Abschnitte unterteilt. Der erste Abschnitt enthält länderübergreifende Studien zu nationalen Narrativen in Tschechien, Slowakei, Ungarn, Slowenien, Kroatien, Polen und Österreich, die sich auf vier historische Epochen konzentrieren: vom Fin de Siècle bis zum Ersten Weltkrieg, die Zwischenkriegszeit und den Zweiten Weltkrieg, die Nachkriegszeit bis zum Ende des Kalten Krieges sowie die Zeit nach dem Zerfall des Ostblocks. Hierbei werden Gemeinsamkeiten in den nationalen Narrativen sowie deren Beziehung zu transnationalen Europavorstellungen untersucht. Ein weiterer Beitrag behandelt das jüdische Erbe in Mitteleuropa und die Erfahrungen der jüdischen Minderheit. Der zweite Abschnitt widmet sich nationalen Einzelstudien, die die Besonderheiten der nationalen Narrative im 20. Jahrhundert herausarbeiten.