Politisches System Österreichs#

Austrian Political System; the term covers all governmental and non-governmental institutions, persons, rules and procedures that play a role in politics, in interaction with the social system. Needs and interests are mainly articulated, channelled and publicly discussed by the Political Parties, associations, other social groups, the media and the citizens, and it is from these groups that the holders of political office are recruited. Responsibility for setting norms (legislative power) is entrusted to Parliament, and these norms are applied by the government and administration (executive power) and interpreted by the courts (judicial power).

An important characteristic of the Austrian political system is the significance that attaches to the political parties and associations in the process of policy-making and decision-making ("state subject to the control of political parties and associations"). One feature of the system that is sometimes criticised is the lack of transparency regarding the influence of large economic associations, which is especially exercised through the Social Partnership. By comparison, the role of the citizen seems to be strongly limited, although New Social Movements, supported by the media, have been gaining political weight since the 1970s. As far as the organs of the state are concerned, the Federal Government has more influence than Parliament, while the influence of the administration on the political level is difficult to measure. As a counterweight, there are a number of control authorities, especially the Court of Audit, the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court. Since the beginning of the 1980s criticism of the Austrian political system has increased (out of touch with what the citizens want, abuse of power, complexity of politics), but there have not been any significant changes so far.

Literature#