ABSTRACT
Austria has undergone many profound changes since Adolf Hitler ordered the resignation of Austria’s Chancellor in 1938, notably joining the EU; an organization of 27 member countries that are committed to promoting democratic ideals as well as monitoring anti-Semitism. That notwithstanding, questions remain about Austrians in leadership positions who appear to be tied to ideas that reflect the past. In something of a balancing act, those same leaders claim to denounce anti-Semitism, yet there are plenty of situations where it seems they believe otherwise. Then, 34-year-old Sebastian Kurz became Austria’s Chancellor, bucking the stereotype of older politicians leading political groups and mobilizing his country’s youth to get involved in politics. Yet he is divisive, as his rhetoric demonstrates, with a decidedly anti-Muslim slant. Not only is Kurz and members of his government guilty of discrimination, but they also exhibit misogynistic behavior. Projective identification as a mechanism of defense comes into play here, as this chapter will illustrate.
