Is it time to finally rethink Austria’s “permanent neutrality”?
Austria’s longstanding tradition of permanent neutrality is an integral part of the country’s identity and its approach to international politics. However, the flimsy and incoherent interpretation of it not only demonstrates that there is little consensus on how its neutrality policy should be exercised but also makes it a useful smokescreen to justify politicians’ behaviour and connections to certain states, such as Russia. As Sweden and Finland are giving up their neutrality to join NATO, some argue, it is time to rethink Austria’s neutrality too and finally develop a coherent neutrality policy.
Towards a New End of the World?
The end of history and the predominance of capitalism and liberal democracy, resulting in the end of ideological fights, was believed to favor people’s well-being. With the fall of socialism, a new system has risen, neo-liberalism, which had overthrown liberalism and conquered the world. Liberty, equality, fraternity were replaced by profit margins.
