The Paradoxical Republic

From its emergence out of the ashes of World War II through to the economic and political challenges of today, Austria has embodied many of the contradictions of recent European history. Written by one of the nation’s leading historians, this account of postwar Austria explores the tensions that have defined it for over seven decades, whether in its overlapping policies of engagement and isolationism, its grandiose visions and persistent sense of inferiority, or its position as a model social democracy that has suffered recurrent bouts of xenophobic nationalism. This newly revised edition also addresses the major developments since 2005, including a resurgent far right, economic instability, and the potential fracturing of the European Union.

Oliver Rathkolb is Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Vienna. He was Schumpeter Fellow at the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University and Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago and is member of the Academic Committee for the House of European History in Brussels.

Praise for the first edition:
“A tour de force combining historical insight, political analysis, personal opinion, skillful prose, and visual metaphor to map a pathway through Austria’s recent past.” • The Journal of Modern History

“The author's analysis is balanced and frequently insightful, and his concluding chapter looking at future trends is particularly interesting.” • Choice

“A fine and powerful book with many new insights…fills a major gap in the literature and deserves to be read widely.” • European History Quarterly