This paper analyzes the “concept-based” lessons of “history, social studies and political education” in Austria and aims to clarify the function of concepts in terms of the citizenship education. The results of the analysis led to the following three functions First, the concepts raised by scientists should be used to give them the opportunity to critique the workings of the state and society independently; second, the concepts derived from the individual should be used to experience the diversity of people's perspectives of judgment; and third, the historically constructed concepts should be used to exercise the responsibility of redefining and reconstructing the social norm embedded in the community. Such concept-based teaching can provide the diverse experiences required for the democratic citizen. In other words, it is not limited to the category of social science education and does not conflict with the idea of citizenship education. Concept-based teaching in Austria takes on controversial issues and is different in character from “hard deliberation”, where claims and arguments, values and values, and feelings and emotions directly collide. Rather, it is noteworthy in that it avoids it and draws out a “soft dialogue” around the interpretation by concepts and definition of concepts, while guaranteeing the objectification of the real world.