Transatlantic Conservatism: Otto von Habsburg and the Shaping of American Political Thought

Type of Abstract (select): Individual Presentation

Abstract (max. 250 words):
The paper examines the intellectual and political influence of Otto von Habsburg – last heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and long-serving Member of the European Parliament – on the development of American conservative thought and institutions. Placing his activity within the wider context of Central European and Hungarian engagement with the United States, it argues that the Archduke acted as a significant, yet understudied, intermediary, channelling new perspectives into the American political environment. Long known in the US as Otto of Austria-Hungary, he built close relationships with prominent American politicians and policymakers. His initial contacts emerged from the Democratic
milieu, but during the Cold War he developed strong ties with leading conservatives and Republicans – the two camps, whose positions occasionally conflicted – including Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley, Barry Goldwater, Edwin Feulner, and several political actors who later became central to the Reagan administration. From the early 1950s onwards, he played a pivotal role in establishing far-reaching transatlantic networks, creating spaces for interaction and exchange for European and American political stakeholders that, despite the many differences, ultimately facilitated a shared vocabulary of norms, principles, and strategic approaches. The paper explores how Otto von Habsburg and his networks, connecting European Christian-democratic traditions and the U.S. conservative movement, actively shaped both the intellectual frameworks and practical implementation of American conservatism, influencing policy debates, political strategy, and broader transatlantic engagement throughout the Cold War.


Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Bence Kocsev studied history and sociology in Budapest and Amsterdam, earning a master’s degree in history with a focus on international relations. During his studies, he was a member of the St. Ignatius Jesuit College of Advanced Studies in Budapest. From 2016 to 2020, he was a research fellow at Leipzig University and the Leibniz Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe, where he focused on the economic history of the Cold War. He later headed the Győr Office at the Antall József Centre and is currently a senior research fellow at the Otto von Habsburg Foundation.