Migration and politics

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In recent decades, increased population movements have led to the globalization of migration, sparking national and international debates about its effects. These discussions range from rejecting and excluding migrants to appreciating cultural diversity. Austria, a former imperial power and EU member since 1995, has experienced both traditional and recent immigration waves, resulting in varied party-political policies on migration that may or may not align with local sentiments. Such differing policies reflect distinct types of political governance. Drawing on Max Weber’s classical sociological theory, which identifies three pure types of legitimate domination—legal-rational, traditional, and charismatic—this work introduces a fourth type: utopian/dystopian leadership. The legitimacy of these governance types depends on the alignment of migration discourses between political elites and ordinary citizens. This study examines official and unofficial discourses on migration, focusing on how ordinary Austrian citizens legitimize political governance. Utilizing grounded theory, the research analyzes party political manifestos and parliamentary debates from Austrian political parties, alongside a regional case study that incorporates semi-structured interviews.