Markovits-Austrian German Relations in the New Europe -1996

Page 1: Title and Publication Information

Title

• Austrian-German Relations in the New Europe: Predicaments of Political and National Identity Formation

Author

• Andrei S. Markovits

Source Information

• German Studies Review, Feb. 1996, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 91-111

• Published by: The Johns Hopkins University Press on behalf of the German Studies Association

• Stable URL: JSTOR

• Last accessed on 02 Mar 2025

Page 2: Introduction and Historical Context

Introduction

• Importance of examining German-Austrian relations and the scholarly neglect of post-1945 studies on this matter.

• Only 8 scholarly works on post-1945 Austro-German relations compared to vast literature on earlier relations.

• Historical significance of the rivalry between Austria and Prussia, culminating in significant events from 1756 to 1938.

Historical Background

• Until 1806, Austria was considered part of Germany while maintaining its distinct identity.

• The "Austrian question" lingered until the Anschluss of 1938, influencing national identity and political discourse.

Page 3: Scholarly Landscape

Academic Literature

• The disparity in literature focus is noted between the historic rivalry and contemporary norms.

• Available literature covers aspects such as socio-political movements (labor, trade unions, anti-Semitism) influencing both regions.

• Schneider's reluctance to engage with post-1945 relations reflects a perception of 'normalcy' in relations, indicating that there seem to be no significant contemporary issues.

Contemporary Political Analysis

• Significant literature exists on various facets of the Federal Republic's politics and the former German Democratic Republic.

• Lack of focus on current Austro-German relations marked as a sign of absence of conflict or issues.

Page 4: Relationship Dynamics

Contemporary Issues

• Minor controversies like the Wackersdorf nuclear waste plant conflict and truck traffic disputes demonstrate some friction but not crises.

• Postwar relations were characterized as mostly amicable, with little serious conflict, with anecdotal evidence of sporting rivalries reflecting deeper historical tensions.

Cultural Reflection

• Football reflects Austria's national identity, mainly through the 1978 victory and the arranged 1982 match, illustrating the country's fluctuating tensions and identities.

• In 1978, Austria's football victory took place in the FIFA World Cup held in Argentina. The arranged match in 1982, which illustrated fluctuating tensions and identities, occurred during the FIFA World Cup held in Spain.

  
  

Page 5: Rivalry and Cooperation

Nature of Relations

• Austrian regional perceptions of Germans: Soccer rivalry enhances Austrian identity.

• Historical references to football matches illustrate long-standing ambivalence enjoyed by Austrians in contrast to Germans.

• The sociopolitical interplay between sports and cultural identity is significant, with football outcomes impacting national self-perception.

Page 6: Economic Influence

Economic Dependency

• Austria's economy shows overwhelming dependence on Germany, with trends in economic integration and policy alignment.

• Dominance of German economic influence articulated through government policies reflecting this dependency versus direct ownership.

• Policy decisions guided by economic realities dictated by Germany demonstrate a loss of Austrian sovereignty in key sectors.

Page 7: Statistical Analysis

Economic Correlations

• The correlation of GNP growth patterns between Austria and Germany shows a pronounced dependency that transcends mere trade.

• Causality suggests approximately 60% of Austria's GNP influenced by German economic performance, highlighting deep interconnection.

Page 8: Monetary Policy

Austrian Monetary Dependence

• Monetary policy in Austria effectively dictated by Germany's Bundesbank guidelines post-1970s economic liberalization.

• Agencies debated the degree of sovereignty abdication by Austria in favor of German economic stability.

Page 9: Trade Dynamics

Trade Relations

• Austria's imports heavily reliant on Germany, representing the majority of total imports with a rising trend over decades.

• Economic nature between both countries reflects integrated production networks as shown in export/import statistics.

Page 10: Investment Landscape

Foreign Direct Investment

• German investment leads as the predominant source for foreign direct investments in Austria, influencing various industrial sectors.

• Investment trends highlight Germany's increasing role in privatizing and modernizing the Austrian economy.

Page 11: Cultural Influence

German Cultural Hegemony in Austria

• Significant German influence in Austrian culture largely driven by German media ownership.

• Censorship through cultural mediums and media shaping public opinion and interests reveals cultural dependency in mass media.

Page 12: Media Integration

Media Control

• Control of Austrian press and publication by German entities dominates media narratives and influences cultural normativity.

Page 13: Cultural Legitimacy

Cultural Identities

• Austrians leverage cultural achievements to assert independence in cultural narratives, often challenging dominant German narratives through historical accomplishments.

Page 14: Identity and Historical Reflection

Cultural Reflection

• Austrians view themselves as cultural equals or superiors to Germany, using cultural pride to navigate their identity post-Nazi history.

Page 15: Political Autonomy

Political Landscape

• Austrian political landscape remains distinct from German entanglements, allowing for independent political infrastructure post-1945.

• Mixed historical context of advantage versus dependence provides a nuanced look at constructs of sovereignty and identity between nations.

Page 16: Political Structures

Governance Comparison

• Structural parallels exist in party and legislative systems, showing deep historical ties and shared governance norms without conflictual dependencies.

Page 17: Relations Evolution

Postwar Effects

• Postwar identities formed around contrasting political narratives create a climate of non-contested sovereignty with little overlap politically.

Page 18: Neutrality and Identity

Neutral Positioning

• Austrian neutrality shaped postwar identity, creating a dynamic distinctly separate from their German counterparts.

Page 19: Future Implications

Current Sentiments

• Recent public opinions reveal a complex sentiment towards German affinity without desire for reunification.

• Public belief in political separation remains despite cultural and economic ties, which will shape future regional integrations.

Page 20: Conclusion and Future Prospects

Future Directions

• Analysis concludes that the current interdependence may evolve under changing European dynamics, including potential implications of monetary union and political alignments.

• Future relations hinge on Austria's positioning within a unifying Europe and reactions to Germany's emerging power.