The ideological Cold War : the politics of neutrality in Austria and Finland / by Johanna Rainio-Niemi.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rainio-Niemi, Johanna.

Series:

Routledge studies in modern history ; 12.

Routledge studies in modern history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cold War--Political aspects--Austria.

Cold War.

Cold War--Political aspects--Finland.

Ideology--Political aspects.

History.

Ideology.

Neutrality.

Austria--Politics and government--1945-.

Austria.

Politics and government.

Finland--Politics and government--1945-.

Finland.

Austria--Foreign relations--20th century.

International relations.

Finland--Foreign relations--1945-.

Neutrality--Austria--History--20th century.

Neutrality--Finland--History--20th century.

Ideology--Political aspects--Austria--History--20th century.

Ideology--Political aspects--Finland--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

ix, 217 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Routledge, 2014.

Summary:

"This book opens new perspectives into the Cold War ideological confrontations. Using Austria and Finland as an example, it shows how the Cold War battles for the hearts and minds of the people also influenced policies in countries that wished to stay outside the conflict. Following the model of older European neutrals, Austria and Finland sought to combine neutrality with democracy. The combination was eagerly challenged by ideological Cold Warriors on both sides of the divide and questioned at home too. Was neutrality risking the neutrals' commitment to democracy, or did the commitment to the western type of democracy threaten their commitment to neutrality? Confronting these doubts grew into an organic part of practicing neutrality in the Cold War world. The neutrals needed to be exceptionally clear regarding the ideological foundations of their neutrality. Successful neutrality required a great deal of conceptual consistence and domestic unanimity. None of this was pre-given in Austria or Finland. However, in the model of Switzerland and Sweden, (armed) neutrality was systematically integrated with the official state ideology and promoted as a part of national identity. Legacies of these policies outlived the end of the Cold War"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

National Traditions

International Reflections

Criteria of Neutrality and the Newborn Neutrals

The Missing Link

"The Ennoblement of National Self-Esteem" on the Verge of a New Era

Faces of Neutrality in the Cold War World.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415836722

0415836727

OCLC:

863632127