{"product_id":"austria-behind-the-mask-politics-of-a-nation-since-1945-9781805260592","title":"Austria Behind the Mask: Politics of a Nation Since 1945","description":"Austria has long been considered a European success story: a land-locked country on the losing side of World War Two, which emerged from ten years of post-war occupation as one of the EU's richest member-states, a symbol of social consensus and political independence at the heart of Europe. But in the 2020s, the forward march of the far-right populist FPÖ threatens the return of old demons: extreme xenophobic racism, and economic and political instability. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe governing partnership between Austria's youngest-ever Chancellor and the extreme-right party lasted less than two years, but has left a wreckage of corruption scandals, including an ongoing investigation of fraud at the top. A cozy relationship with Russia, particularly President Putin, has cast a shadow over Austria's neutrality and reputation as a reliable EU partner. Belated confrontation of the Nazi past and the lingering legacy of the imperial nobility further muddy the waters, while the long decline of social democracy--the bedrock of post-war nation-building--has been equaled by the weak performance of the ruling conservative-green coalition, damaging trust in democracy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMixing personal memories with high political drama, Paul Lendvai reveals the knotted web of forces which have driven Austria to its current perilous state.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaul Lendvai, a Hungarian-born Austrian journalist and author, was the Vienna correspondent for the \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e for over twenty years. His most recent books, both published by Hurst, are \u003cem\u003eThe Hungarians\u003c\/em\u003e (second edition); and \u003cem\u003eOrbán: Europe's New Strongman\u003c\/em\u003e, which won the Prix du Livre Européen.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Hurst \u0026 Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50526196826386,"sku":"9781805260592","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_29945a67-705f-4e49-a867-81d66bbeb25a.jpg?v=1731263629","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/austria-behind-the-mask-politics-of-a-nation-since-1945-9781805260592","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}