The Survival of an Independent Austria

HE important role of Austria in the economic and political development of Europe remains unchanged even by war and a divided continent. Unfortunately, her location in one of Europe's most strategic areas (Fig. i), which no power is willing to have dominated by another power, robs the country of her right to determine her own future. But the experience of the last I3 years has, it is hoped, given the Austrian people a raison d'etre for their country and replaced defeatism and lack of confidence with a healthy and constructive nationalism. The present domestic political stability, in spite of external political and internal economic difficulties, is a hopeful sign for a new Austria.2 In the past, Austria's mission, German culture, and German economic were constantly stressed. During the last few years, however, government statements and actions have indicated clearly and unmistakably the desire for a strong and independent country. Austria's mission as a link between East and West, but also between the free-enterprise system and state-controlled economy, was the hope of leading Austrian statesmen as long as a treaty and the departure of all occupation troops seemed probable.3 With the probability of a treaty in the near future becoming less, government and party leaders have expressed themselves as being in favor of closer ties with the Western nations and are resigned to rebuilding the economy under the watchful eyes of four occupation powers. Although the people's belief in the vitality of their country is a major

Geography · Statistics · Central European national history · Eastern European Communism and Reforms · European history and politics · Mathematics

• National Trauma and the Fear of Foreigners

  Wesley Hiers, Thomas Soehl et al.•Social Forces•2017

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