Digitisation and its Effects on Austrian Federalism

According to common understanding, digitisation of public administration supports centralisation. Recent organisational reforms of federal administration such as of the federal financial administration or the social security system seem to confirm this thesis. In contrast, the opportunities for federalism offered by digitisation have so far received little attention. Digitisation allows for specialisation and relieves urban areas in favour of the periphery. This paper will deal with both aspects, challenges as well as the chances of federalism in the age of digitisation. Given the fact that Austrian federalism is constitutionally shaped by a strong symmetrical concept it will be analyzed digitization might support asymmetric developments between and within the Austrian Länder.