Populism and Liberal Democracy: Populists in Government in Austria, Italy, Poland and Switzerland

The enduring electoral success of populist parties across Europe and the increasing opportunities they have gained to access government in recent years bring once more into relief the question of whether populism and democracy are fully compatible. In this article we show how, despite playing different roles in government within very different political systems, and despite the numerous constraints placed upon them (for instance, EU membership, international law and domestic checks and balances), populist parties consistently pursued policies that clashed with fundamental tenets of liberal democracy. In particular, the idea that the power of the majority must be limited and restrained, the sanctity of individual rights and the principle of the division of powers have all come under threat in contemporary Europe. This has contributed to the continuing erosion of the liberal consensus, which has provided one of the fundamental foundations of the European project from its start.

Using 18O/2H, 3H/3He, 85Kr and CFCs to determine mean residence times and water origin in the Grazer and Leibnitzer Feld groundwater bodies (Austria)

Two groundwater bodies, Grazer Feld and Leibnitzer Feld, with surface areas of 166 and 103 km2 respectively are characterised for the first time by measuring the combination of d18O/d2H, 3H/3He, 85Kr, CFC-11, CFC-12 and hydrochemistry in 34 monitoring wells in 2009/2010. The timescales of groundwater recharge have been characterised by 131 d18O measurements of well and surface water sampled on a seasonal basis. Most monitoring wells show a seasonal variation or indicate variable contributions of the main river Mur (0–30%, max. 70%) and/or other rivers having their recharge areas in higher altitudes. Combined d18O/d2H-measurements indicate that 65–75% of groundwater recharge in the unusual wet year of 2009 was from precipitation in the summer based on values from the Graz meteorological station. Monitoring wells downstream of gravel pit lakes show a clear evaporation trend. A boron–nitrate differentiation plot shows more frequent boron-rich water in the more urbanised Grazer Feld and more frequent nitrate-rich water in the more agricultural used Leibnitzer Feld indicating that a some of the nitrate load in the Grazer Feld comes from urban sewer water. Several lumped parameter models based on tritium input data from Graz and monthly data from the river Mur (Spielfeld) since 1977 yield a Mean Residence Time (MRT) for the Mur-water itself between 3 and 4 years in this area. Data from d18O, 3H/3He measurements at the Wagna lysimeter station supports the conclusion that 90% of the groundwaters in the Grazer Feld and 73% in the Leibnitzer Feld have MRTs of <5 years. Only in a few groundwaters were MRTs of 6–10 or 11–25 years as a result of either a long-distance water inflow in the basins or due to longer flow path in somewhat deeper wells (>20 m) with relative thicker unsaturated zones. The young MRT of groundwater from two monitoring wells in the Leibnitzer Feld was confirmed by 85Kr-measurements. Most CFC-11 and CFC-12 concentrations in the groundwater exceed the equilibration concentrations of modern concentrations in water and are therefore unsuitable for dating purposes. An enrichment factor up to 100 compared to atmospheric equilibrium concentrations and the obvious correlation of CFC-12 with SO4, Na, Cl and B in the ground waters of the Grazer Feld suggest that waste water in contact with CFC-containing material above and below ground is the source for the contamination. The dominance of very young groundwater (<5 years) indicates a recent origin of the contamination by nitrate and many other components observed in parts of the groundwater bodies. Rapid measures to reduce those sources are needed to mitigate against further deterioration of these waters.

Kenneth oder der Rückzug der großen Armee

aus dem Engl. der Miß Yonge übers. von Louise Marezoll

Avalanche risk assessment - a multi-temporal approach, results from Galtür, Austria

Snow avalanches pose a threat to settlements and infrastructure in alpine environments. Due to the catastrophic events in recent years, the public is more aware of this phenomenon. Alpine settlements have always been confronted with natural hazards, but changes in land use and in dealing with avalanche hazards lead to an altering perception of this threat. In this study, a multi-temporal risk assessment is presented for three avalanche tracks in the municipality of Galtür, Austria. Changes in avalanche risk as well as changes in the risk-influencing factors (process behaviour, values at risk (buildings) and vulnerability) between 1950 and 2000 are quantified. An additional focus is put on the interconnection between these factors and their influence on the resulting risk. The avalanche processes were calculated using different simulation models (SAMOS as well as ELBA+). For each avalanche track, different scenarios were calculated according to the development of mitigation measures. The focus of the study was on a multi-temporal risk assessment; consequently the used models could be replaced with other snow avalanche models providing the same functionalities. The monetary values of buildings were estimated using the volume of the buildings and average prices per cubic meter. The changing size of the buildings over time was inferred from construction plans. The vulnerability of the buildings is understood as a degree of loss to a given element within the area affected by natural hazards. A vulnerability function for different construction types of buildings that depends on avalanche pressure was used to assess the degree of loss. No general risk trend could be determined for the studied avalanche tracks. Due to the high complexity of the variations in risk, small changes of one of several influencing factors can cause considerable differences in the resulting risk. This multi-temporal approach leads to better understanding of the today's risk by identifying the main changes and the underlying processes. Furthermore, this knowledge can be implemented in strategies for sustainable development in Alpine settlements.

Multiple infections of rodents with zoonotic pathogens in Austria

Rodents are important reservoirs for a large number of zoonotic pathogens. We examined the occurrence of 11 viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents in rodent populations in Austria, including three different hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox virus, Leptospira spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Toxoplasma gondii. In 2008, 110 rodents of four species (40 Clethrionomys glareolus, 29 Apodemus flavicollis, 26 Apodemus sylvaticus, and 15 Microtus arvalis) were trapped at two rural sites in Lower Austria. Chest cavity fluid and samples of lung, spleen, kidney, liver, brain, and ear pinna skin were collected. We screened selected tissue samples for hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox viruses, Leptospira, Borrelia, Rickettsia, Bartonella spp., C. burnetii, and T. gondii by RT-PCR/PCR and detected nucleic acids of Tula hantavirus, Leptospira spp., Borrelia afzelii, Rickettsia spp., and different Bartonella species. Serological investigations were performed for hantaviruses, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, orthopox viruses, and Rickettsia spp. Here, Dobrava-Belgrade hantavirus-, Tula hantavirus-, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-, orthopox virus-, and rickettsia-specific antibodies were demonstrated. Puumala hantavirus, C. burnetii, and T. gondii were neither detected by RT-PCR/PCR nor by serological methods. In addition, multiple infections with up to three pathogens were shown in nine animals of three rodent species from different trapping sites. In conclusion, these results show that rodents in Austria may host multiple zoonotic pathogens. Our observation raises important questions regarding the interactions of different pathogens in the host, the countermeasures of the host's immune system, the impact of the host–pathogen interaction on the fitness of the host, and the spread of infectious agents among wild rodents and from those to other animals or humans.

Capturing socially motivated linguistic change. How the use of gender-fair language afffects support for social initiatives in Austria and Poland.

Gender-fair language consists of the symmetric linguistic treatment of women and men instead of using masculine forms as generics. In this study, we examine how the use of gender-fair language affects readers' support for social initiatives in Poland and Austria. While gender-fair language is relatively novel in Poland, it is well established in Austria. This difference may lead to different perceptions of gender-fair usage in these speech communities. Two studies conducted in Poland investigate whether the evaluation of social initiatives (Study 1: quotas for women on election lists; Study 2: support for women students or students from countries troubled by war) is affected by how female proponents (lawyers, psychologists, sociologists, and academics) are referred to, with masculine forms (traditional) or with feminine forms (modern, gender-fair). Study 3 replicates Study 2 in Austria. Our results indicate that in Poland, gender-fair language has negative connotations and therefore, detrimental effects particularly when used in gender-related contexts. Conversely, in Austria, where gender-fair language has been implemented and used for some time, there are no such negative effects. This pattern of results may inform the discussion about formal policies regulating the use of gender-fair language.

Die Deutsche Centralgewalt und die Preußische Armee : geschrieben am 23sten Juli 1848

Boberach: Nur Norddeutschland kann vereinigt werden. Süddeutscher Radikalismus oder Ultramontanismus darf über die Provisorische Zentralgewalt keinen Einfluß auf das preußische Heer gewinnen. Die deutsche Reichsarmee muß von Preußen bestimmt sein

Reden, die in Berlin nicht gehalten wurden : I. - III. ; den Wahlmännern des Saalkreises gewidmet ; Zur Einleitung: Ansprache an die Wahlmänner ; I. Ueber die der Kommission zur Untersuchung der Zustände des Großherzogthums Posen zu ertheilenden Befugnisse ; II. Ueber die Abschaffung der Todesstrafe ; III. Ueber den Antrag des Abgeordneten Stein auf Erlaß eines Armeebefehls gegen die reactionairen Bestrebungen in der Armee

Boberach: Die Wahlmänner werden über drei Reden unterrichtet, die ihr Abgeordneter in der Nationalversammlung nicht halten konnte: Über die der Kommission zur Untersuchung der Zustände des Großherzogtums Posen zu erteilenden Befugnisse. - Über die Abschaffung der Todesstrafe. - Über den Antrag des Abgeordneten Stein auf Erlaß eines Armeebefehls gegen die reaktionären Bestrebungen in der Armee

Wrangel: Sein Armee-Befehl und die enthüllte Kabinets-Politik von Sanssouci

Boberach: Daß der Oberkommandierende in den Marken den Bürgerkrieg erklärt hat, muß im konstitutionellen Staat als Hochverrat verfolgt werden. Die Nationalversammlung wird zur Karikatur des Vereinigten Landtags, wenn sie ihre Souveränität nicht behaupten kann

Liste der im Juni d. J. im Gefechte bei Düppel Gebliebenen, Verwundeten und Vermißten der Preußischen Armee in Schleswig : (nach amtlichen Quellen)

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Sieg preußischer und Bundestruppen am 5. Juni 1848 unter General von Wrangel über dänische Truppen bei Düppel (Dybbøl). Preußische Verluste: 77 Tote und Vermißte, 144 Verwundete.

Nachstehende Adresse ist von den zur Berathung über die Wahl eines Bürgerwehr-Commandeurs versammelten Deputirten ...: Königliche Majestät! Die Vorgänge des 14. Juni d. J. drohen über einen Offizier der Armee ein Schicksal herbeizuführen ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Adresse von Deputierten der Berliner Bürgerwehr an König Friedrich Wilhelm IV., die kriegsrechtliche Untersuchung gegen den Hauptmann von Natzmer niederzuschlagen. Hintergrund: besagter Hauptmann, der das Berliner Zeughaus mit seinen Truppen besetzt hielt, zog sich am 14. Juni 1848 angesichts des bevorstehenden Sturmes auf das Zeughaus - um Blutvergießen zu vermeiden - ohne entsprechenden Befehl zurück

Dank und Wunsch an das hohe Staats-Ministerium und die hohe Nationalversammlung: Mit dem freisinnigen, eben so bestimmten als würdigen Erlasse an die Armee ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Begrüßung des Erlasses des neuen Ministeriums Pfuel an die preußische Armee (25. September 1848), in dem davon die Rede ist, das gute Einvernehmen zwischen Zivil und Militär nach Kräften zu fördern und reaktionären Bestrebungen entschieden entgegenzutreten

Soldaten, Demokraten, Juchheirassasa! Ene Jarnison-Predigt vor die janze Preußsche Armee: Soldaten! Paßt mal uf, ick werr Euch ne Rede halten, wie Kaiser Napoljum ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Appell an die Mannschaftsdienstgrade in der Preußischen Armee: Ziel des Volkes ist es mitnichten, die Fürsten davonzujagen. Das Volk hat seit den Befreiungskriegen schrittweise Mündigkeit erlangt und wird sich " ... nich mehr wie'n dummer Junge schuhriejeln laaßen". Warnung vor reaktionären Offizieren: " ... zeigt, deß Ihr Söhne des Volks, ... deß Ihr brave Preußsche Soldaten un keene jedungene Dodtschläger nich seid!"