ABSTRACT
Austrias distinctive political system is the product not only of a balance between powerful domestic interests and political parties, but also a balance between Austria and its international environment. This chapter examines the inter-relationship by looking at two of the dominant themes on Austrias post-Second World War foreign policy agenda: neutrality and integration with the European Community. In both the areas external factors plays vital role in moving opposing forces in Austrian politics towards co-operation, this co-operation has greatly influenced the conduct of Austrian foreign policy. One also sees that the balance between internal and external forces in the determination of Austrian foreign policy is tilted towards the latter. Austrias domestic structures and foreign policies do not create the external environment so much as adapt to externally-imposed constraints. The chapter concludes with some hypotheses regarding how recent changes in Europe may impact on both Austrias foreign policy and weaken the foundations of consociationalism.
