The Americaniation/Westerniation of Austria (Contemporary Austrian Studies) [Paperback]

Gunter Bischof (Editor), Anton Pelinka (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 076580803X | ISBN-13: 978-0765808035 | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

Political, economic, social, and cultural moderniation dramatically transformed twentieth-century Austria. Innovative new methods of production and management, such as the assembly line, changed Austrian business after World War I, much as the Marshall Plan shaped the economy after World War II. At the same time, ja, Hollywood movies, television programming, and mass commodities were as popular in Austria as elsewhere in Western Europe. Even political campaigns followed American trends. All this occurred despite the fact that in West Germany, American nostrums and models had been rejected, modified, or "translated" into milder versions. Ultimately, Austria was "Western Europeanied" when it joined the European Union in 1995.

How Western are the Austrians? This volume analyes trends toward Americaniation and Westerniation in Austria throughout the twentieth century. Reinhold Wagnleitner's lead essay studies the foreign politics of American pop culture. Anna Schober and Monika Bernold analye the influence of Hollywood movies and television on postwar Austrian society. Reinhard Sieder follows changing discourses on family life, while Ingrid Bauer looks at American influences on Austrian women. Maria-Regina Kecht, Kurt Drexel, and Christina Hainl follow the American impact on Austrian literature, opera, and art. Banker Anton Fink examines American banking and finance practices. Andr Pfrtner and Matthias Fuchs study the Americaniation of Austrian business and tourism. Helmut Lackner describes how well-heeled Austrian travelers to the United States brought back innovative American production methods and other ideas gleaned from world expositions before World War I. American influences on Austrian politics and political science are dissected by Gnter Bischof, Martin Kofler, Frit Plasser, and Anton Pelinka. The Americaniation of Vienna is the subject of journalist Armin Thurnher's essay. Comparisons with West Germany are presented by Michael Hochgeschwender. These essays prove that "Americaniation," "Westerniation," and "globaliation" need to be carefully defined before generaliations can be made.

Gnter Bischof is professor of history and the director of Center Austria at the University of New Orleans. Anton Pelinka is professor of political science at the University of Innsbruck and the director of the Institute of Conflict Research in Vienna.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Günter Bischof is a professor of history and director of CenterAustria, University of New Orleans.

 

 

Anton Pelinka taught political science for many years at the University of Innsbruck and now at the Central European University in Budapest.

Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Transaction Publishers (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076580803X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765808035
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,524,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)