Austria's Power: A Country's Strength And Influence

Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe, has historically been a powerful country. For centuries, it was a major imperial power in Central Europe under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty. However, the fall of the Habsburgs after World War I marked a shift in Austria's power dynamics. While it remained strategically significant due to its geographic position, Austria was the weakest among the Great Powers of Europe, which included Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. Despite its reduced size, Austria maintained its influence as a cultural centre, with Vienna becoming the hub for classical music innovation. Today, Austria is a high-income parliamentary democracy, boasting one of the highest standards of living in the world. It has a strong economy, closely tied to its main trading partner, Germany, and its top sectors include services, industry, and agriculture. Austria's political landscape has seen shifts towards conservative parties, with nationalism and anti-immigration populism challenging the European Union's open border policies.

Austria's history as a powerful country

Austria, a small landlocked country in Central Europe, has a rich history as a powerful country. The area of today's Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, it was inhabited by the Celts and then annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. In the 4th and 5th centuries, the region was Christianized, and in the 6th century, numerous Germanic tribes arrived during the Migration Period.

In the 10th century, the area became known as Ostarrîchi, a forerunner of the modern German word Österreich, meaning "eastern realm." In 996, Ostarrîchi was first referred to as Austria in a document. In the following centuries, the area was ruled by various dynasties, including the Babenbergs and the Habsburgs.

In the 15th century, the Habsburgs began to accumulate territories beyond their hereditary lands, and in 1496, they acquired Spain and its colonies through a marriage alliance. In the 16th century, Vienna became the administrative capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria emerged as a major imperial power in Central Europe.

In the 17th century, the Ottoman Empire posed a significant threat to Austria, leading to several conflicts. However, the Habsburgs successfully repelled the Ottomans and expanded their influence through strategic marriages and alliances. In the 18th century, the Habsburgs continued to consolidate their power, and in 1714, Austria became a great power once again.

In the 19th century, Austria faced challenges from the rise of nationalism and the French Revolution. The Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815) significantly weakened Austria, and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 reshaped the political map of Europe. Despite these setbacks, Austria remained a dominant force in Central Europe.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Austria-Hungary, a dual monarchy of Austria and Hungary, was established. However, rising nationalist sentiments and ethnic tensions within the empire led to its eventual collapse after World War I.

After World War I, Austria experienced a period of instability, with the rise of Austrofascism and the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. Following World War II, Austria regained its independence and declared its neutrality in 1955.

Today, Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy and has the 13th highest nominal GDP per capita. It is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, and other international organizations. While Austria may no longer be considered a "great power," it continues to play a significant role in European politics and maintains a high standard of living for its citizens.

Austria's economy and trade

Austria's economy is a highly developed social market economy, with the country being one of the fourteen richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The country's economy is closely tied to other EU economies, especially that of Germany, its largest trading partner. The United States is one of Austria's top two-way trading partners, ranking third in overall trade.

Austria's economy is dominated by the service sector, which constitutes approximately 70% of the gross value added (GVA). The largest Austrian service sector employers work in sales, hotel and restaurant services, as well as health and education. Representing 28% of Austria’s GVA, the secondary sector is primarily manufacturing, energy production and supply, and construction. The primary sector—agriculture and forestry—makes up only 1.2% of Austrian GVA and only one in thirty Austrians are employed in this sector.

Austria's industrial and commercial sectors are characterised by a high proportion of medium-sized companies. Austrian industry covers every branch of manufacturing, from basic goods to the labour-intensive production of highly processed products. The construction of plants and systems is an increasingly important share and is strongly export-oriented, as is the electronics sector.

Tourism is an essential pillar of the Austrian economy, accounting for around 10% of Austria's GDP. Austria is a mountainous country with one of the largest natural land reserves in central Europe.

Austria's economy has a strong labour movement. The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) comprises constituent unions with a total membership of about 1.5 million—more than half the country's wage and salary earners. The ÖGB has often opposed the government's programme for budget consolidation, social reform, and improving the business climate.

Austria's economy has one of the richest collections of collectors' coins in the Eurozone, with face values ranging from 10 to 100 euros. Unlike normal issues, these coins are not legal tender in all the eurozone countries.

Austria's political landscape

Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive. The president is directly elected by popular majority vote, with a run-off between the top-scoring candidates if necessary. The chancellor is selected by the president and tasked with forming a government based on the partisan composition of the lower house of parliament. The government can be removed from office by either a presidential decree or a vote of no confidence in the lower chamber of parliament, the Nationalrat.

Austria's parliament consists of two chambers. The composition of the Nationalrat (183 seats) is determined every five years by a general election in which every citizen over the age of 16 has the right to vote. The upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, has a limited right of veto, which can be overridden by the Nationalrat.

Austria's political system is characterised by Proporz, whereby most politically important posts are split proportionately between members of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). Interest groups with mandatory membership (e.g. for workers, business people, and farmers) are usually consulted in the legislative process, so legislation rarely passes without reflecting a broad consensus.

Since 1945, there have only been two instances of governing via a single-party government: ÖVP from 1966-1970 and SPÖ from 1970-1983. During all other legislative periods, either a grand coalition of SPÖ and ÖVP or a "small coalition" (one of these two and a smaller party) has ruled the country.

In the legislative elections of 2013, the Social Democratic Party received 27% of the vote and 52 seats, and the People's Party 24% and 47 seats, thus controlling together the majority of the seats. The Freedom Party received 40 seats and 21% of the votes, while the Greens received 12% and 24 seats. Two new parties, Stronach and the NEOS, received less than 10% of the vote and 11 and nine seats, respectively.

On 17 May 2016, Christian Kern from the Social Democrats (SPÖ) was sworn in as the new chancellor. He continued governing in a "grand coalition" with the conservative People's Party (ÖVP). He took office after the resignation of former chancellor, also from the SPÖ, Werner Faymann.

On 26 January 2017, Alexander Van der Bellen was sworn in as the mostly ceremonial but symbolically significant role of Austrian president.

After the grand coalition broke in Spring 2017, a snap election was called for October 2017. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), with its new young leader Sebastian Kurz, emerged as the largest party in the National Council, winning 31.5% of the votes and 62 seats. The Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) came in second with 52 seats and 26.9% of the votes, slightly ahead of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), which received 51 seats and 26% of the votes. NEOS finished fourth with 10 seats and 5.3% of the votes, and PILZ (which split from the Green Party) entered parliament for the first time, coming in fifth place with 8 seats and 4.4% of the vote. The Green Party failed to cross the 4% threshold and was ejected from parliament. The ÖVP decided to form a coalition with the FPÖ. The new government, sworn in on 18 December 2017, later collapsed in the wake of the "Ibiza" corruption scandal, and new elections were called for 29 September 2019. These elections led to another landslide victory for the Austrian People's Party (37.5%), which formed a coalition government with the reinvigorated Greens (13.9%), sworn in on 7 January 2020.

On 11 October 2021, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz resigned due to pressure triggered by a corruption scandal. He was succeeded by Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg of the ÖVP. Following another corruption scandal involving the ruling People's Party, Austria got its third conservative chancellor in two months when Karl Nehammer was sworn into office on 6 December 2021. The ÖVP continued to govern together with the Greens.

Austria's military power

In 1938, the Bundesheer was disbanded when Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. Many Austrians served in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS during World War II. After the war, Austria issued a Declaration of Neutrality, stating that it would never join a military alliance. The Austrian Armed Forces' main purpose since then has been the protection of Austria's neutrality.

In 2023, Austria's military budget was €3.317 billion, or 1.0% of national GDP (including pensions). The Austrian Armed Forces consist of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists. In 2020, the total military size was 23,000, a 4.55% increase from 2019. The military personnel system is an integral part of a comprehensive civil service system, with nine officer ranks from officer candidate through general.

Austria's air force (Luftstreitkräfte) is responsible for the defence of Austrian airspace, tactical support of Austrian ground forces, reconnaissance, military transport, and search-and-rescue support. The air force has one squadron of 15 Eurofighter Typhoons, and a squadron with 28 Saab 105 trainers, which double as reconnaissance and close air support planes. The helicopter fleet includes 23 AB 212 helicopters, 24 Alouette III search-and-rescue helicopters, and 10 OH-58B Kiowa light scout helicopters. The air force also has 9 UH-60 Black Hawk medium-sized transport helicopters and 3 C-130K Hercules transport aircraft.

The Jagdkommando is the Austrian Armed Forces' Special Operations group, with duties including counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. The Bundesheer is also supported by the Austrian Military Police (Kommando Militärstreife & Militärpolizei).

The main constitutional tasks of today's Austrian military are:

• To protect the constitutionally established institutions and the population's democratic freedoms.
• To maintain order and security inside the country.
• To render assistance in the case of natural catastrophes and disasters of exceptional magnitude.

Austria's cultural influence

Austria has a rich cultural history that has been influenced by its neighbouring countries, including Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, and Bohemia. The country's unique position at the crossroads of Europe has allowed it to absorb influences from all directions.

Music

Music has always played an integral role in Austrian identity. Vienna, in particular, has been a magnet for composers since the 18th century, thanks to the generous patronage of the nobility. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Strauss, Jr. are some of the most notable composers associated with the country. The First and Second Viennese Schools are also worth mentioning for their significant contributions to classical music.

Literature

Austria has produced several renowned writers, including Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, Thomas Bernhard, and Robert Musil. The country's literary landscape also includes poets such as Georg Trakl, Franz Werfel, Franz Grillparzer, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Adalbert Stifter.

Architecture

Austria's architectural prowess is evident in its castles, palaces, and cathedrals. The Habsburg reign, in particular, saw a flourish of architectural endeavours, leaving behind iconic edifices like Festung Hohensalzburg and Schloß Artstetten. The cities of Salzburg and Graz have been recognised by UNESCO for their preservation of architectural lineage dating back to the Middle Ages.

Food

Austrian cuisine is a delightful mix of regional traditions and influences from neighbouring countries. The country is particularly renowned for its pastries and sweets, with the Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel being iconic dishes. Goulash, influenced by Hungarian cuisine, is also a popular savoury dish. Wiener Schnitzel, Salzburger Nockerln, and various kinds of sausages are other examples of Austrian culinary specialties.

Film and Broadcasting

During the silent movie era, Austria was one of the leading producers of films. Many Austrian directors, actors, authors, and cinematographers also worked in Berlin. After the Anschluss, many Austrian filmmakers emigrated to the United States, including Erich von Stroheim, Otto Preminger, and Billy Wilder. In more recent times, directors such as Michael Haneke, Ulrich Seidl, and Barbara Albert have emerged, contributing to the country's film industry.

Philosophy, Science, and Technology

Austria has been the birthplace of several renowned philosophers, scientists, and engineers, including Ludwig Wittgenstein, Karl Popper, Sigmund Freud, and Ferdinand Porsche. The country has also produced notable physicists, such as Ludwig Boltzmann, Ernst Mach, and Christian Doppler.

Frequently asked questions