Classical Liberalism in Austria

After the turn of the millennium, new parties were founded in Austria, apparently because a growing part of the population no longer felt addressed by the classic big parties. Although I had enrolled in medicine and computer science at the university, I also read a lot about political theory and history. The writings of classical-liberal thinkers like Karl Popper and Ludwig von Mises appealed to me the most. My dream was that a party whose politics would follow the principles of this classical liberalism would be able to make its way into the National Council.

When a new student party, the Young Liberals of Austria, was founded in 2009, I was initially reluctant to decide whether or not to join it; after all, although I was politically interested, I did not see myself as a professional politician. But then I decided to become a member of the party. Together with some other groups, the Young Liberals merged into the NEOS party, which actually entered the National Council in 2013 and 2017. Liberal thought is thus again represented in the Austrian parliament.

But whether Austria has become a liberal country is questionable. In professional life, party membership is often decisive for who gets a certain position. Anyone who wants to make a career would do well not to express themselves politically in public.

In addition, a small party with only a few members of parliament has only limited scope for action. The only thing that could happen is that it will one day play the small tune on the scales as a majority buyer.

At least I am glad that my dream has come true.