Werner Wintersteiner (ed.): "More Security Without Weapons." On the Relevance of Hans Thirring's Peace Plan. Vienna: Promedia 2024.
In 1963, the internationally respected Austrian physics professor and Federal Councillor of the SPÖ published his memorandum "More Security Without Weapons". It was a plan to disband the Austrian Federal Army in return for guarantees from neighbouring countries and under the auspices of the United Nations, combined with an intensification of an active peace policy. Even though his proposal was rejected by the political establishment of all parliamentary parties and by the government, it is an important thought-provoking and inspirational idea, especially today.
With their comments, the authors create a counterweight to the current narrow perspective that dares to think of peace and security only in military paradigms. It is an encouragement to bring bold or perhaps utopian proposals back into the debate in order to start anew the search for peaceful alternatives in times of war, crises and multiple threats.