REINHARD ENGEL
S9
still far below those of their Western competitors. Secondly, the vicinity
of Western European markets plays a large role. And thirdly, there is
the-justified-demand by the people of Prague and Budapest that
their weaker brethren not be left totally unprotected. U.S. scientists
Barry Eichengreen and Richard Kohl speak of an " Iberian model." They
expect a development similar
to
that of Spain and Portugal after their
entry into the European Community: solid growth and modernization,
but not at the rapid speed of Asia's tiger economies.
Ultimately, there is no longer any reason for West Europeans to look
down on their neighbors, or on people such as Milan Sebek and his fam–
ily. At present, they have more links with them than differences. All
Europeans share many of their problems-problems that have become
global. Poverty exists in the West as well as in the East, along with a
growth in criminality. Unemployment and polarization of incomes
require rethinking on both sides. And the end to lifelong workplaces
with their replacement by short-term, project-specific jobs is hitting
everyone, along with the difficulties incumbent when the terms of social
security are being changed and expectations from government must be
decreased. Much remains to be worked on in United Europe.
Postscript:
UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL AUSTRIANS THINK in such international,
European ways. Joerg Haider's success in Austria's recent elections sent
shock waves across E.urope. Here was a decidedly right-wing party that
by far outgrew the fringes reserved for its counterparts in other coun–
tries-and made it to the heart of the electorate, gaining
27
percent of
the vote. The Freedom Party attracted workers and the self-employed,
public officials and farmers, entrepreneurs and pensioners alike. This
would not have been possible with simple right-wing propaganda alone.
Exit polls show that by far the most important motive of Haider's
voters was a shady concept of "necessary changes," a feeling of disap–
pointment with the ruling grand coalition of socialists and conserva–
tives. But almost half of his electorate said that his
Auslanderpolitik,
his
policy towards foreigners, had been at the heart of their decision.
On
this topic the Freedom Party had not been elegant.
It
charged wide–
spread "asylum fraud," warned of an "overforeignization," and hinted
at millions of East E.uropeans flooding Austria once the borders to
future EU members were completely open.
These fears are deep-rooted, although hardly backed by evidence.
Economists in Vienna say they cannot give exact figures for how many
