Soviet nostalgia: The irrational romanticization Nostalgia for the Soviet Union or Yugoslavia? What may seem alienating to many, has become increasingly common since the upheavals of the 1990s. While in the Gorbachev era there were still mass demonstrations for democratization and freedom processes, a quarter of a century after the events a kind of communist
Grey Wolves: How Turkish ultra-nationalism reaches the social centre of Europe Racial superiority, the dream of an ethnically pure empire, a strongly developed cult of leadership and their own greeting formula. What is very much reminiscent of the National Socialists is also part of the profile of the ultra-nationalist Grey Wolves and the MHP party.
The international arena of diplomacy: Vienna as a bridge builder Vienna was the home of several heads of state, kings, diplomats and delegations for more than six months. During the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the great powers restored the European order. The capital of the Habsburg monarchy was once known as the playing field
What Armenia can learn from Austrian political society Talking about modern Austrian history, is talking about the history of a longstanding party system. A party system, previously dominated by the conservative ÖVP, the social democratic SPÖ and partly the right-wing populist FPÖ. Later, two more parties were established and belong to the core of Austrian
United, but diverse Europe: A perspective For many centuries, European powers competed with each other by shifting the power in one or the other direction. Countless wars between major powers shape the image of Europe. Especially, the colonial wars between France and Great Britain on the one side and the endless balancing of power between
NATO and the EU: An uneasy relationship of obstacles 43% of Europeans believe that decisions about European security policy should be taken by the EU. Although only 17% prefer NATO in terms of European security policy, the EU security policy is often linked to NATO in public. While security policy was fundamentally determined by the
Surviving in an anarchic world: More than a struggle for power Speaking about international relations from a realist(ic) point of view, is speaking about a world full of states trying to survive in an anarchic system. Everyone of us knows, that breaking the rules within a state can lead to a confrontation with the police
The Middle East: The legacy of World War I in the sights of the Great Powers The consequences of the policy of division No other region in the world has been plagued by crises as the Middle East in recent decades. The chessboard of the great powers has not only been hit by wars since
Henry Kissinger: The symbol of realpolitik – loved, hated, disputed How unethical can foreign policy be? The political scientist and diplomat from Germany with Jewish roots is considered one of the most formative representatives of offensive realpolitik and pragmatism. As a heavyweight among diplomats who received the Nobel Peace Prize after the end of the
Otto von Bismarck: The conservative mastermind of Realpolitik
Otto von Bismarck: The conservative mastermind of Realpolitik When talking about the greatest German statesman/woman, names such as Konrad Adenauer, Willy Brandt or Helmut Schmidt are often mentioned. Well, it should be pointed out that the foundation for a modern and above all unified Germany, which has only existed for about 150 years, was laid