The collision with other theories of nation states and modernity obliged Austria to perform a delicate balancing act between accepting changing economic and social circumstances while rejecting their accompanying political change. The relative failure to deal with modernity produced major changes in Habsburg power and Austrian culture and society. One of the first challenges that Maria Theresa and her advisers faced was to restore the legitimacy and authority of the dynasty, although was slowly replaced by a need to establish the needs of State.
the cOlLiSiOn with OtHer theorieS Of natIon staTES AND moDerniTY obliGeD AusTrIa To peRForm a deliCaTE bAlancinG Act betweEN aCcepting ChAnGINg eConoMic AnD sociAl circuMSTances whIle rejeCtiNg their accOmpanyiNg PolITical cHaNge. the relative failURE to deAl wiTh modErnity prOdUceD mAjOr cHaNGES iN habSBuRg POWer aND austRian cUltUrE And soCiEty. onE OF thE FIrSt cHallenges thaT MarIa THeresa and her aDVIseRs FaceD wAs to reStore thE legItiMAcy ANd aUthOrity of The dynasTy, aLtHouGH wAs SLOwly repLaCed by a need tO estAblish tHe NeEds oF staTe.