The Austrian Social Democrats’ View of Karl Lueger: Ideological Conflict in fin-de-siècle Vienna

Abstract

The main goal of this investigation is to reveal both the dynamic interplay between Social Democrats and Christian Socialists, headed by Vienna’s Mayor Karl Lueger (1844–1910), and the specific ways in which their interaction manifested in the Social Democratic press and the public addresses of its leading voices, particularly in their evaluations of Lueger’s persona and political strategies. Analysis reveals the Social Democrats’ consistent deconstruction of the populist “people’s leader” image cultivated by the Christian Socialists, exposing the manipulative potential of his antisemitic, clericalist, and populist rhetoric. Particular attention is given to the Social Democrats’ critical evaluation of Lueger’s political strategy, tactical alliances, and complex interactions with diverse social groups within Viennese society. The findings suggest that Social Democratic appraisals of Lueger were characterized by significant ambivalence and internal tensions, driven not only by ideological commitment but also by pragmatic considerations stemming from the intense political competition for influence in the imperial capital of Austria-Hungary. This study highlights the strategic role of political discourse in shaping perceptions of a pivotal figure in Austrian history and underscores the complex dynamics of ideological rivalry in a rapidly changing society.

Acknowledgements
The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 24-28-01067, https://rscf.ru/project/24-28-01067/.

Received: 28.02.2025.
Revised: 11.03.2025.
Accepted: 16.09.2025.

Citation
Bachenina V. V. The Austrian Social Democrats’ View of Karl Lueger: Ideological Conflict in fin-de-siècle Vienna // Slavic Almanac. 2025. No 3–4. P. 32–52 (in Russian). DOI: 10.31168/2073-5731.2025.3-4.02