Presents a cross-disciplinary study, combining historical macro-sociology and a sociology of emotions with historical anthropology and cultural studies. This book charts the development of political authority structures in their varied historical manifestations, as well as their affective sedimentation as collective habitus (national character). 'This long-awaited book fully lives up to expectations. It is an outstanding example of comparative historical sociology at its subtlest, tackling the intriguing subject of differences in national character or habitus through a wealth of historical and literary evidence.' Eric Dunning, University of Leicester, UK 'In their Authority, State and National Character, Helmut Kuzmics and Roland Axtmann have produced a highly original comparative study of the development of English and Austrian habitus and social structure between 1700 and 1900. They creatively use the concepts and theories of Norbert Elias to shed light on their subject-matter, and their sociological use of literary sources is both path-breaking and exemplary. This book is a stunning achievement, quite literally a tour de force.' Stephen Mennell, University College Dublin. Ireland '...outstanding and methodologically innovative ... Particularly original is the way in which literary texts have been convincingly adduced as evidence serving close sociological analysis. Through this subtle study of "Englishness" and "Austrianness'"a clearer and deeper understanding of seemingly intangible and irrational aspects of national identity has been reached. This is particularly welcome in an area where unthinking prejudice often forms part of the popular and even educated discourse on the subject.' Helen Chambers, St. Andrews University, UK