Identity Politics Past and Present: Political Discourses from Post-War Austria to the Covid Crisis

This book explores the re-emergence of nationalism in the media, popular culture, and politics in Austria between 1995 and 2015, analyzing how it relates to identity politics, contemporary popular culture, far-right populism, and commemoration. The refugee crisis of 2015 intensified and polarized debates about European identities, while the COVID-19 pandemic saw nation-states react by closing borders and symbols of banal nationalism proliferating. Changes in memory politics are also linked to migration, financial and climate crises, changing gender politics, and a new transnational European politics of the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: University of Exeter Press

This comprehensive book delves into the revival of nationalism in the media, popular culture, and politics, as well as the widespread acceptance of far-right nativist ideologies and attitudes in Austria between 1995 and 2015. By employing a multidisciplinary approach encompassing Critical Discourse Studies, it explores the complex interplay between identity politics, contemporary popular culture, far-right populism, and commemoration. While debates about European identities have been characterized by contradictory yet interwoven tendencies towards renationalization and transnationalization, the refugee crisis of 2015 intensified and polarized these discussions. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these dynamics, with nation-states resorting to border closures and the proliferation of banal nationalist symbols.

The data analyzed in this book, drawn from a diverse range of empirical studies, reveals significant connections between changes in memory politics, migration patterns, financial and climate crises, evolving gender politics, and the emergence of a new transnational European politics of the past. Consequently, the authors assess the current challenges posed to liberal democracies and fundamental human and constitutional rights in the face of emerging trends of renationalization across Europe and beyond.

The book is organized into five chapters, each providing a detailed examination of the various aspects of the resurgence of nationalism. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the historical context, tracing the roots of nationalism in Austria and its evolution over time. Chapter 2 explores the role of the media in shaping public perceptions and narratives about nationalism. Chapter 3 examines the impact of popular culture on the normalization of far-right ideologies and attitudes. Chapter 4 examines the political consequences of the resurgence of nationalism, including the rise of far-right political parties and the erosion of democratic norms. Chapter 5 concludes by offering insights into the future of nationalism and the potential challenges it poses to liberal democracies.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the complex dynamics of nationalism, identity politics, and the broader social and political landscape. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the resurgence of nationalism in Austria and offers insightful perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing liberal democracies in the era of globalization.

Weight: 712g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781905816804