Robert Misik from Vienna – Authors profile, articles and posts

Democracy and society | 09.09.2024

Cult of cruelty

The poison of authoritarianism has penetrated deep into societies. In Austria, too, the far right is in the lead ahead of the national elections

Economy and ecology | 03.06.2024

Ghosts of the past

The EU elections will shift power to the right, risking the return of conservative economic policies and threatening the welfare of ordinary citizens

Democracy and society | 16.04.2024

The case for a radical, liberal left

The democratic left should rely on the power of the word — the power of quiet reflection but also of dialogue, including arguing and listening

Democracy and society | 05.02.2024

From memory to policy

Most of the time, the discourse around the Gaza war has less to do with real Palestinians and Israelis and more with how we see the past

Democracy and society | 26.10.2023

Words of war and quiet dejection

After Hamas’ deadly attack and Israel’s violent response, it is difficult to find the right words — because so much is wrong and right all at once

Future of social democracy | 04.09.2023

Olaf Scholz, the improbable role model

A state that protects the weakest and is a bulwark for democracy — that is the new social democratic paradigm that the chancellor embodies

Future of social democracy | 31.05.2023

How not to run a leadership contest

The struggle for leadership of Austria’s Social Democrats is not over yet. And it highlights the fundamental issues facing progressive left parties

Future of social democracy | 04.04.2023

The good man from Traiskirchen

The leadership dispute among the Austrian Social Democrats is escalating. Andreas Babler, a successful small-town mayor, might profit from this

Democracy and society | 02.02.2023

The left and freedom

Neoliberals have made the term ‘freedom’ a hollowed-out concept. The democratic left must breathe new life into it

Democracy and society | 09.01.2023

Today’s far right and the echoes from history

Regardless of whether fascism is the correct term to apply to the current threat of the extreme right, playing it down would be a much greater mistake

Future of social democracy | 26.09.2022

Reasonable left, irresponsible right

With no shortage of catastrophes in the past 15 years worldwide — the democratic left is stepping up to provide stability amid the storm

Future of social democracy | 20.06.2022

A social-democratic decade ahead?

Austria’s SPÖ has surged in recent polls, while the conservatives have imploded. Is this another sign that Europe’s Zeitgeist is moving to the left?

Foreign and security policy | 23.05.2022

Is it time for Austria to re-evaluate its neutrality?

In the new security context, which prompted Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership, Austria's policy of neutrality seems outdated

Foreign and security policy | 20.04.2022

A new era of containment?

The war in Ukraine has forced Europe’s social democrats to change their integrative approach towards Russia to one that pushes back and isolates

Future of social democracy | 16.02.2022

Beyond dystopia

Even though left-wing parties have recently won elections in Europe, there's no progressive Zeitgeist. That's why we need revolutionary art again [...]

Democracy and society | 07.12.2021

The revolt against reason

Western Europe experiences a massive loss of trust in the entire political system. Its depth is displayed in the revolts against Covid-19 and science

Future of social democracy | 11.10.2021

The unlikely victory: lessons of the SPD’s election win

How does one provide security in an unstable world? The victorious social democrats have convinced German voters that they have the answer

Robert Misik

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