Studies in History, Memory and Politics

The Austrian case of nation formation was a latecomer in the European perspective. Only after the II World War did the Austrian nation form, which resulted in a general omission of the Austrian case from major theoretical works and comparative studies. The book is a summary of classical and modern nation formation theories, as well as an inquiry in the process of Austrian nation formation. The author firmly places the Austrian case in necessary theoretical framework. The book focuses on nation building policies conducted by the Second Austrian Republic and the changing ways in which the Austrian nation was perceived (a cultural or political nation?). The main focus of the author is the ideological background provided historians in the aforementioned nation-building process. The book also delves in the politics of affirmation and opposition to the new Austrian national identity.