Roman-Catholic State Party

Roman-Catholic Political Party ( _nl. Rooms-Katholieke Staatspartij, RKSP) was a Dutch Catholic Christian-Democratic political party. The party was founded in 1926 as a continuation of the General League. In 1945 the party became the KVP.

History

The RKSP was founded June 3, 1926, as the continuation of the Algemeene Bond van RK-kiesverenigingen (General League of Roman-Catholic Caucuses). Since 1918 the General League called itself RKSP informally. Instead of the lose league of caucuses, with little party discipline, the General League was, the RKSP became a real party, with stronger party discipline and organisation.

In 1922 another Catholic party, RKVP, was founded by former members of the General League. It was oriented towards Catholic workers. The General League received little competition from this party, but accelerated the RKSP's process of party-formation.

During the 1920s and 1930s the RKSP was the biggest party of the Netherlands, receiving a steady 30% percent of the vote each election. During this entire period the party was in government, in coalition with the ARP and the CHU, two protestant parties. This coalition was called the Coalition. The party was blocked from many political offices however, because of the historic discrimination of Catholics in the Netherlands. Positions like vice-president of the council of state, and chairman of the lower and higher house of parliament were all filled by Protestants. The RKSP supplied one prime minister Ruijs de Beerenbrouck between 1929 and 1933.

The cooperation with the ARP and CHU was not unproblematic. In 1925 the cabinet composed of the ARP, the CHU and the General League fell over the Dutch representation at the Holy See. This issue continued to divide the RKSP and the CHU and the ARP. As did the prohibition of catholic churches to have their traditional marches and role of government in the economy.

The cabinet Colijn-II fell because the RKSP wanted a more social economic policy, but this cabinet was repaired. In 1939 however the Cabinet Colijn IV fell again on economic policy. In 1939 a coalition of RKSP, CHU, VDB and SDAP ended more than 20 years of Coalition government.

After the war the RKSP was replaced by the KVP.

Ideology

The RKSP based on biblical norms and catholic dogma. An important encyclical was Rerum Novarum of 1891. In this Pope Leo XIII called for stronger government interference in the economy, while denouncing socialism.

The party was a staunch proponent of a corporatist economy, where employer's organisations, unions and state work together for the common good. The RKSP was in favour of social and labour legislation. During the 1930s the call for a more active role of government was strengthened, due to the economic crisis.

The RKSP wanted strong government control over public morality: Divorce should be limited, the Sunday's rest was to be kept, cinemas and theatres should be kept under tight government control, alcohol addiction should be combated.

In international affairs the RKSP was an advocate of Dutch neutrality, which was to be maintained by a strong army and navy. Furthermore the party was in favour of the colonial government of the Dutch Indies.

Linked Organisations

The KVP had close links to many other Catholic institutions such as the Roman-Catholic Church and together they formed the Catholic pillar. These organisations included the Catholic Labour Union, the Catholic Employers Organisation, the Catholic Farmers' Organisation, Catholic Hospitals united in the Yellow-White Cross and Catholic Schools. The Catholic Broadcasting Association KRO and the Catholic paper De Volkskrant were the voices of the RKSP.

Important Figures

The Limburg-based priest Nolens led the party since its foundation, till his dead in 1931

The former professor and minister Aalberse succeeded Nolens.

Other prominent figures were Ruijs de Beerenbrouck, minister president between 1918 and 1925, and between 1929 and 1933 and the young Romme, who would lead the KVP in the 1940s and 1950s.

Electorate

The RKSP was supported by catholics of all classes. In North Brabant and Limburg, it often got more than 90% of the vote.