Péter Techet for NZZ on Austria’s Role in Foreign Policy

Starting from the identity crisis that arose in Austria after the collapse of the Habsburg monarchy, Techet describes in his essay for the Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung how Austria tried to deny itself after 1918 and reinvent itself after 1945. 

Although republicanism has long become a fundamental consensus, Austria, especially after joining the EU, strived to continue the ‘Habsburg’ tradition: promoting Europe’s integration toward the East and Southeast. In recent years, however, Austrian foreign policy has retreated into a ‘small-state’ role. Techet therefore suggests reviving Robert Musil’s idea of ‘World Austria’ (‘Weltösterreich’). This does not require a new emperor, but it does call for a bold and active foreign policy. 

The article can be read here: https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/der-welt-abhandengekommen-oesterreich-igelt-sich-politisch-in-seiner-kleinstaatlichkeit-ein-ld.1913247