In my paper, I want to investigate to which extent Austrian neutrality is still existing. Is it yet more than a romantic picture of our home country? How has this concept been affected by the membership in various International Organizations, especially the EU? And how does a neutral state cope with its security in a globalized world? My hypotheses are that in the course of time, Austria has quietly given up neutrality in favor of the benefits of being part of the international community. Security Policies are coordinated and in a globalized world, that is continuously moving closer together, cannot work independently. Therefore Austria has to participate and cannot hide behind it’s neutrality.
Table of Contents
A. Executive Summary
1. Introduction
2. Neutrality
2.1. Definition and Historic Overview
2.2. Permanent Neutrality in Austria
3. Austria in relation to International Organizations
3.1. Austria in the EU
3.2. Austria in the UN
3.3. Austria and NATO
3.4. EU and NATO
4. Austria’s Security Strategy
5. Résumé
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the current status of Austrian neutrality in the context of its membership in international organizations, specifically the European Union and NATO. The central research question explores whether permanent neutrality still functions as a viable security concept in a globalized world or if it has become merely an identity-based construct, effectively superseded by collective security obligations.
- The evolution of Austrian neutrality from 1955 to the present day.
- The impact of EU accession and the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) on neutrality.
- Austria’s role in international security frameworks and its participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP).
- The shift in Austrian security doctrines from "neutral" to "non-allied" and the resulting political implications.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Definition and Historic Overview
The concept of neutrality can be traced back to the beginning of the development of the system of states in the 16th and 17th century and has since been embedded into international law. The term stems from latin „ne uter“, which means „neither of the two“ (Gehler 2001: 3). Three different types of neutrality can be distinguished:
1. Occasional neutrality: When a state remains neutral in a certain conflict or war between other states. This is the original way of neutrality, which emerged from practices, scientific thinking and international treaties from the end of the Middle Ages.
2. Permanent neutrality: A state commits itself to stay away from war and military conflicts. This goes back to the beginning of the 19th century and is attributed to Switzerland.
3. Conventional neutrality: This type of neutrality is not legitimized under international law and thus can be terminated at any time (Luif 1995: 124f).
During the 20th century, the concept of neutrality has gone through changing practices and perceptions. Firstly, the idea of collective security was born and was consolidated in the framework of the League of Nations (1919) and after World War II in the United Nations Organisation. In this picture of a supranational community, neutrality seemed to have become redundant. Any attack would have been seen as an attack on the whole international community, not only on the attacked state. This belief, however, changed quite rapidly after the formation of the blocs in the cold war and the foundation of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Summary of Chapters
A. Executive Summary: Provides an overview of the development of Austria's neutrality since 1955 and posits that the concept has been hollowed out by international security commitments.
1. Introduction: Outlines the research intent to investigate the persistence of Austrian neutrality amidst globalized security demands and membership in supranational organizations.
2. Neutrality: Defines historical types of neutrality and details the legal establishment of Austria's permanent neutrality through the 1955 Federal Constitutional Law.
3. Austria in relation to International Organizations: Analyzes the compatibility of Austria's neutral status with its EU membership, UN commitments, and cooperation within the NATO PfP framework.
4. Austria’s Security Strategy: Examines the 2013 Security Strategy and how it reconciles the desire for international integration with the traditional rhetoric of neutrality.
5. Résumé: Concludes that Austrian neutrality has effectively ceased to exist, serving only as a political identity construct while the nation is integrated into EU security structures.
Keywords
Austria, Neutrality, European Union, NATO, Security Strategy, International Law, Permanent Neutrality, Common Foreign and Security Policy, Partnership for Peace, Collective Security, Sovereignty, Foreign Policy, Defense Policy, European Integration, Non-allied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper evaluates the modern relevance of Austrian permanent neutrality, questioning whether it remains a functional security policy or a symbolic identity component.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the legal basis of neutrality, the evolution of EU security policy, participation in NATO-led programs, and the changing Austrian national security doctrines.
What is the main research hypothesis?
The author hypothesizes that Austria has effectively abandoned its neutrality in practice to reap the benefits of integration within the international community.
Which methodology is applied?
The research is based on a qualitative analysis of international treaties, national security strategies, constitutional law, and relevant academic literature on European neutrality.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the historical definition of neutrality, the transition of Austria's status within the EU/UN/NATO, and an in-depth review of the 2013 Austrian Security Strategy.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Major keywords include Neutrality, European Union, NATO, Security Strategy, and Collective Security.
How did the EU accession impact Austrian neutrality?
The accession necessitated constitutional amendments to accommodate the Common Foreign and Security Policy, effectively linking Austria to EU defense mechanisms.
What role does the "Irish Clause" play in this context?
It allows member states to pursue security policies in line with their constitutional requirements, a mechanism Austria utilizes to manage its neutrality status while integrating into EU frameworks.
What is the significance of the 2001 Security and Defence Doctrine?
It marked a shift where the term "neutral" was largely replaced by "non-allied" to better reflect the realities of Austria's international obligations.
Why does the author conclude that neutrality is obsolete?
The author argues that modern security interdependence and the mutual assistance clauses within the EU treaties make independent neutrality legally and practically impossible to maintain.
- Quote paper
- Sophia Barolo (Author), 2016, Austria's Neutrality Today and its Impact on the Nation's Security, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371336
