ABSTRACT
The stereotypes of Austria fall into two broad categories: those that describe rural Austria and the Western provinces and those of Vienna. There are hardly any negative stereotypes of rural Austria; most negative images of Austria come from stereotypes of Vienna. Every nation has its military heroes, leaders that have struggled for the independence of the nation or defended the country against a powerful enemy. Austria's heroic period occurred in the 17th and 18th centuries during the long wars with the Turks. Austria's political culture has been characterized by a high degree of stability. Polling results and other quantitative indicators—such as a high voting turnout, or a 90% share of the vote for the two big parties—have showed no change over decades. The most remarkable feature of Austrian political culture is the ubiquity of political parties. Party connections decide almost any aspect of the life of a private citizen.
