{"product_id":"forbidden-federalism-secret-diplomacy-and-the-struggle-for-a-danube-confederation-1918-1921-9781943596119","title":"Forbidden Federalism: Secret Diplomacy and the Struggle for a Danube Confederation: 1918-1921","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe key concept of this title is that of federalism, understood as a unifying factor for the peoples of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the First World War, even those resolutely in favor of dismantling Austria-Hungary recognized that the Danubian area required some sort of federal unity, if only for economic reasons. One of the main actors of the narrative is Karl of Habsburg-Lorraine, the last Emperor-King of Austria-Hungary. As soon as Austria-Hungary fell apart, Karl started actively to try to reconstruct his empire by writing a plan for a new con\/federal monarchy and by contacting the pope and the leaders of the Entente regarding this plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eB csi's book is a study in virtual history, what might have been, and reading it one is tempted to follow this line of thought as well. The shadowy figures that cross its pages-the Marquis de Castellone who sought to win over the Foreign Office to Karl's plans, the better-known Stepan Radic who played with federal schemes in an effort to advance the Croatian cause, or the obscure swindler Karol Bulissa-all failed in their attempts. The present configuration in Central Europe, with the emergence of the Visegrad bloc and disintegration in\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ethe Balkans, seems to make Zolt n B csi's work more relevant than ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eZolt?n Becsi is Political Scientist, Historian.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Helena History Press LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50859074584850,"sku":"9781943596119","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_f0ac6910-0443-466b-a629-51e9f9e5b7e8.jpg?v=1737549143","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/forbidden-federalism-secret-diplomacy-and-the-struggle-for-a-danube-confederation-1918-1921-9781943596119","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}