Page - 152 - in Otto Bauer (1881–1938) - Thinker and Politician

152 chapter 4 sonmust strive to find aworkable formof coexistence for the nations within the given state framework. No one can be allowed towithdraw fromthestruggle forasolutiontotheAustriannationalitiesquestionby consoling himself with the belief that a great transformation inworld politics will produce a solution to the national questions within this empire…Theworkers, too,areunreasonablyattributedanirresponsible catastrophistpoliticswhencalledupontoplacetheirhopes inthedisin- tegrationofthisempire.75 ItisalsoforpoliticalreasonsthatBauer,likeRenner,thoughtofthedecentralist aspirationsof thenationsassenseless:hewassurethat theemergenceofnew nations would prompt a lengthy struggle between Austria and Russia. This servedas thebasis for anerraticpoliticalprognosis. Bauerdidnot regard the independencemovementsofthepeoplesassuchasathreat.Rather,hefeared apotentialclashbetweenGermanandTurkishimperialismintheBalkans–or else, incaseofanarmedPolishuprising,Russianmilitary intervention,which mightspreadintoterritoriesenclosedinGermanyandAustria.Thiscouldhave developedintoahotbedofwar involvingthewholeofEurope. It is necessary to add that under conditions of 1907, Bauer didnot expect the demise of themonarchy and rise of independent nation states.He cited the following factors to substantiate his position: (1) Thepeoples ofAustria- Hungary are economically and politically too weak to survive and defend themselves in independent states; (2)The industrialbourgeoisie is interested in preserving the monarchy. This is because of its economic and financial connections; (3) Because of the influence of the church and the power of tradition, thebourgeoisieandthepeasantryendorsethemultinationalstate. Letus attempt toexplain the reasons forBauer’s positive attitude towards themonarchyandhisaversiontothedecentralistpoliticsoftheSlavicpeoples. ThefactthathedidnotliketheSlavsisoflesserimportance.It isfairtoassume that his viewswere crucially influenced by the classicalMarxists’ beliefs in the endurance of vast national territories and the revolutionary role of the consolidatedworking class. Bauer’s commitment to the internationalist idea alsohadsomesignificance.However, it is also important tonotea factor that hasalreadybeenmentionedonseveraloccasions:namelyhis fascinationwith Germany’sachievementsandculture.76 75 Bauer1996,p.403. 76 CompareMozetič 1987, p. 226.Mozetič evaluatesBauer’s positionas amanifestationof Germannationalism.AlthoughIdonotsharehisharshjudgement, IconcedethatBauer