Neutral Austria as the Site of International Organizations: Creation and Evolution of Political Narratives

Authors

  • Sarah Knoll
  • Elisabeth Röhrlich

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15203/4185.vol53.2024

Abstract

The establishment of international organizations in Austria is a central element of the Second Republic’s foreign policy. While Austrian politicians present the policy to host headquarters of international organizations as central for the small and neutral state, the Austrian public widely regards this policy as a result of Austria’s neutrality. The article looks at argumentative connections between Austrian neutrality and the establishment of international organizations in two widespread political narratives. We focus, firstly, on the narrative that neutrality was and is a decisive pull factor for international organizations to move to Vienna, and secondly, that the presence of international organizations represents an important security factor for Austria. The historical perspective, however, shows that neutrality was only one of several factors that attracted international organizations to Austria. The security narrative about international organizations was mostly framed to sell this policy to domestic audiences.

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Published

2024-06-26