While many historians consider it to be the exponent of an Austrian and Catholic-clerical variant of fascism—dubbed "Austrofascism"—and make it responsible for the failure of liberal democracy in Austria, far-right authors stress its credits in defending the country's independence and opposition to Nazism.
This regime is viewed by many historians as a key example of an Austrian and Catholic-clerical fascist ideology, which ultimately contributed to the decline of liberal democracy in Austria. In contrast, right-wing scholars highlight its role in defending Austrian autonomy and opposing Nazi power.