The Social and Demographic Structure of Austrian Parties, 1945-93

Abstract

This Report distinguishes party supporters and party members. Support for the two major Austrian parties, the SPÖ and ÖVP, has declined, particularly among young, well-educated, white-collar and urban voters. Recently blue-collar support for the SPÖ has also declined. At the level of party members both major parties have become more unrepresentative of the population at large. If party members indeed act as party `ambassadors to the community', these changes are counterproductive for the major parties.