The Genesis and Historical Transformation of Austria’s Neutrality

Abstract

In hitherto almost 70 years of its existence, the interpretation of Austria's neutrality has been subject to constant change. Starting with current surveys, this article examines the roots of Austrian neutrality and key phases of its interpretation in the international context of East-West relations. The role of the Soviet Union as an incubator of the Austrian declaration of neutrality and a shaping factor for its interpretation receives particular attention. In addition to internal Austrian tendencies that go back to the end of the Habsburg Monarchy and found new support as a result of the East-West occupation of Austria after 1945, the Soviet demand for a declaration of neutrality as the price for agreeing with the withdrawal from Austria in 1955 was the most important root for this. Initially conceived as a pure rejection of alliance membership and military bases, the interpretation of neutrality was subject to a continuous expansion of the duties and tasks of permanently neutral states in peacetime during the decades of the Cold War under the impression of continuous Soviet communication and Austrian efforts to legitimize its policies. The end of the Cold War initiated a movement into the opposite direction. Today, the assessment of neutrality is divided between experts, who view neutrality as an outdated obstacle to security, and the public majority, who views this status as worth protecting. That neutrality continues to exist can therefore be explained by its overwhelming popularity among the population and support from groups on both sides of the political spectrum.