The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 year of origin and 1.02 name
changes
1878, AC9
0, AC9
The ARP was founded in 1878 (some say 1879)
as a mass movement of Calvinist followers of Dr. Abraham Kuyper.
In this year, Kuyper published a paper containing the principles
of the Anti-Revolutionary Party and convened the party's first
congress. The name of the party has remained the same since its
inception.
1.03 organizational
discontinuity
1, AC7
The ARP experienced numerable splits
throughout its history, but only one occurred during our time
period. In 1944, a small extremist group split away from the ARP
and later emerged as the Political Reformed League, which failed
to win any seats during our time period. Those splits which the
party experienced were due to theological considerations rather
than political questions. No mergers occurred during our time
period, either.
1.04 leadership competition
16, AC6
In keeping with our conception of
"legitimate" leadership of the party, we regard the chairman of
the party executive, chosen by a deputies meeting or party
congress, as the leader of the ARP instead of the leader of the
parliamentary delegation in the lower chamber of the legislature.
The information in our file is not precise concerning the dates on
which this position changed occupants, but it is clear that J.
Schouten opened our period as party chairman, was succeeded
briefly by A. B. Roosjen (around 1956), and was followed the next
year by T. W. P. Berghuis, who served out our period. For the
first half of our time period, Schouten was also party leader in
the lower chamber, enhancing his authority. For the second half of
our period, however, the parliamentary leadership was in the hands
of J. A. M. J. S. Bruins Slot.
1.05 legislative instability
Instability is .13, AC9
The ARP strength in the national
legislature steadily declined during our time period. Just 13
percent of the seats was held by the ARP in 1950, and 9 in
1962.
1.06 electoral instability
Instability is .07, AC9
The percentage of votes won by the ARP
steadily declined during our time period, ranging from a high of
11 percent in 1952 to a low of 9 percent in 1960 .
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 government discrimination
0 for 1950-56, AC6
0 for 1957-62, AC6
No evidence suggests any government
discrimination either for or against the ARP, and our consultant
concurs.
2.02 governmental leadership
0 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
0 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The position of prime minister of the
Netherlands was filled by a Labor Party representative, Drees,
from 1948-58, and by representatives of the Catholic People's
Party, Beel and de Quay, from 1959-63.
2.03 cabinet participation
5 out of 7 for 1950-56, AC9
6 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC9
The ARP was excluded in the formation of
cabinet coalitions during the years of 1950-51. In 1952 and in
every coalition thereafter during the time period, the ARP placed
at least one representative in a cabinet position.
2.04 national participation
5, AC6
Based on a 1956 survey (sample size of
1234), the Anti-Revolutionary Party's average deviation of votes
from the population distribution is 6.25. The ARP is primarily a
national party, but owing to its Calvinist basis, is weaker in the
catholic south than in other regions.
2.05 legislative strength
Strength is .12 for 1950-56, AC9,and .09
for 1957-62, AC9
The ARP strength in the national
legislature steadily declined during our time period. Just 13
percent of the seats was held by the ARP in 1950, and 9 in
1962.
2.06 electoral strength
Strength is .10 for 1950-56, AC9,and .09
for 1957-62, AC9
The percentage of votes won by the ARP
steadily declined during our time period, ranging from a high of
11 percent in 1952 to a low of 9 percent in 1960 .
2.07 outside origin
8, AC7
The ARP was formed in the late 1870's by
leaders of the Calvinist church, especially those already involved
in politics and members of parliament . The party considers itself
to have been formed through a mass movement of private citizens,
but it is obvious that the party was created in the interests of
the Calvinist church.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 ownership of means of
production
3, AC7
The ARP opposes nationalization of industry
and seems to have advocated the return to private interests of
some government-owned industries. The party does favor the
granting of state aid in creating new industry.
5.02 government role in economic
planning
1, AC5
The ARP is much less opposed to government
economic planning than was characteristic of the party prior to
the second world war. The party still opposes extensive government
activity in this area, but limited planning is now
supported.
5.03 redistribution of wealth
3, AC8
The ARP and most of its supporters
(according to a survey) oppose any large change in the
distribution of wealth. The party favors government inactivity in
this area and believes that such "charity" is within the sphere of
charitable organizations such as the church.
5.04 social welfare
4, AC8
The ARP opposes compulsory programs of
profit sharing and any type of state operated welfare system. The
party is content to leave social welfare in the hands of the
private sector. The big exception to this rule is the party's
advocacy of a government social insurance program. While the party
favors the transfer of state welfare to welfare "corporations"
independent from the government, it proposes a new program of
social welfare. This unusual discrepancy is the basis for the
assigned code.
5.05 secularization of society
3, AC8
The concept of a separated but cooperating
church and state guides the ARP in its policy. The party was
originally formed in part because of a state-church conflict over
schools. The party favors state support of parochial schools and
has unsuccessfully advocated bible teaching within the public
school system.
5.06 support of the military
5, AC5
Since the ARP advocated the existence of a
strong army, as well as a strong military alliance with the west,
and since the party yearned for the return of a powerful Dutch
nation comparable to the colonial period, the party rated as quite
pro-military, during our period.
5.07 alignment with east-west
blocs
5, AC9
The ARP favors the maintenance and
strengthening of the NATO alliance with continued Dutch
participation.
5.08 anti-colonialism
5, AC7
Throughout the controversy over New Guinea,
the ARP maintained its position advocating continued Dutch
sovereignty over the colony and military protection of the area
from possible Indonesian attack. The party denounced plans of
Dutch-Indonesian compromise and those favoring a United Nations
trusteeship over the territory. However, in 1961, the party
altered its stand and proposed Dutch-Indonesian talks to resolve
the problem. But this was too late in our time period to affect
the coding.
5.09 supranational integration
1, AC7
While the ARP advocated the furthering of
European integration and unity, the party opposed any plan which
might cause some loss of state identity or independence.
Therefore, it is probable that the party favors integration in the
form of great cooperation in military and economic matters but
less cooperation in political integration.
5.10 national integration
1, AC6
The ARP supports the concept of a
decentralized but unified state. The party advocates an increase
in power of local and regional authorities.
5.11 electoral participation
5, AC5
Although the ARP took a more democratic
position on the extension of the franchise around the turn of the
century than did the other major protestant party, the Chu, one
source states that the ARP party paper, "Trouw," favored divine
sovereignty over popular sovereignty and an editorial as recently
as 1961 spoke of the "objectionable doctrine of popular
sovereignty." Our consultant, however, states that this is a
theological rather than a political position and that the party
favors popular elections of government.
5.12 protection of civil rights
1, AC3
One source states that the ARP newspaper,
"Trouw," reminded its readers of the party's opposition to the
principles of the French Revolution. An editorial as recently as
1964 was said to have criticized the ideas of "liberty, equality,
and fraternity." Although no specific information was presented on
the issue, it is inferred from this basic posture that the ARP
would not favor government action to prevent social discrimination
against minorities, which is involved in the issue of civil
rights.
5.13 interference with civil
liberties
3, AC5
Since the ARP supports the Dutch system of
political media, the party probably recognizes the right to speak
freely concerning political matters. However, the party also
believes that the ten commandments of the Bible should be enforced
by the government, and presumably this includes prohibition of
certain expressions of questionable morality.
5.14 / 5.15 us--soviet experts left-right
ratings
US says 1, conservative
Soviets say 1, represents the interests of
the conservative elements of the bourgeoisie and landowners. The
party advocates supremacy of church over the government and the
strengthening of private ownership and free
enterprise.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 open competition in the electoral
process
4, AC9
The ARP relies solely on open competition
within the electoral system in placing its representatives in
government positions. The ARP participated in every election
during our time period.
6.10 restricting party
competition
0, AC8
No evidence suggests that the ARP
orientation includes the restriction of competition. The party
relies upon open competition within the electoral
process.
6.20 subverting the political
system
0, AC8
The ARP has enjoyed many successes and
endured many failures during its history and is not oriented
towards subverting the political system. The ARP has cooperated in
the formation of cabinet coalitions throughout our time
period.
6.30 propagandizing ideas and
program
6.31--1, AC4. Protestant newspapers and
radio-television associations are supported by ARP members, and
their directories are interlocking, but the media are not directly
owned nor operated by the party.
6.32--0, AC5. The ARP owns a political
library, but operates no schools.
6.33--2, AC5. Platforms are passed every
four years by the ARP, and resolutions are probably even more
frequently passed.
6.34--2, AC5. The ARP published a monthly
periodical for its members. This magazine often served as a
position paper for the party. Our consultant advises that the
party also published a weekly periodical.
6.50 providing for welfare of party
members
6.51, 6.52, 6.53, 6.54--AC1. No
information.
6.55--1, AC4. The Protestant Radio-TV
Association provides entertainment as a service.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 sources of funds
7, AC6
Approximately 90 percent of the funds
available to the ARP are derived from membership dues (12 guilders
annually from each member).
7.02 source of members
5 (sector 06), AC9
Membership in the ARP is entirely direct,
but most members belong to the Calvinist church.
7.03 sources of leaders
1 (sector 06), AC8
Leaders of the ARP nearly all have a
Calvinist background. Many have been educated at the Free
Calvinist University, established in the 19th century by the
Calvinist church and founders of the ARP.
7.04 relations with domestic
parties
4, AC9
The ARP participated in government
coalitions, and therefore weaker parliament coalitions, from
1952-62 for 11 of our 13 years.
7.05 relations with foreign
organizations
4, AC6
The ARP belonged to the NEI through an
Equipe in conjunction with the Catholic People's Party and the
Chu.
Organizational Complexity Variables, 8.01-8.07
8.01 structural articulation
11, AC8
The ARP is quite orthodox in its
organizational structure, and many major national organs can be
identified, including the deputies meeting, party council,
executive committee, daily executive, central committee, and
parliamentary group. Each organ is characterized by prescribed
selection procedures and specific functional
responsibilities.
8.02 intensiveness of
organization
4, AC3
The ARP seems to be organized at the local
level on what amounts to a ward basis.
8.03 extensiveness of
organization
6, AC3
Since the ARP is highly national in
character and is noted for its good organization, the party
probably is very thorough in its coverage. Local organizations
probably exist in every region.
8.04 frequency of local
meetings
AC1
No information.
8.05 frequency of national
meetings
5, AC6
The governing body of the ARP is considered
to be the central committee, which normally meets every two months
or 6 times per year. Occasionally the committee will meet more
often.
8.06 maintaining records
16, AC6
The ARP publishes a monthly periodical
which can be considered party propaganda. In addition, the party
supports a Protestant Newspaper and Radio- TV Association which
often speak on behalf of the party. The ARP information institute
is an excellent political library, serving as an archive. Since
the ARP collects dues and sends its periodical to members, good
lists are probable.
8.07 pervasiveness of
organization
13, AC7
The ARP has penetrated many sectors of society (including youth,
women, labor, farmers, employers, and retailers), but the party
has little control over the organizations since they do not own
nor operate them, and membership in them is not considered to be
large compared with other, non-protestant, organizations.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 nationalization of
structure
5, AC6
The ARP is quite hierarchical in structure
and includes the party leader and central committee at the
national level, regional electoral associations, and local party
organizations.
9.02 selecting the national
leader
3, AC6
The party leader is chosen by the deputies
meeting, which is a congress representing each of the regional
electoral associations.
9.03 selecting parliamentary
candidates
6, AC6
The regional electoral associations may
draw up candidacy lists which are submitted to the central
committee for alteration. The associations then must approve these
changes (lists are always approved in practice) before they are
submitted to the deputies meeting for a final vote.
9.04 allocating funds
6, AC3
Since the ARP publishes an official party
budget which is national, allocation of funds is most likely
national as well.
9.05 formulating policy
7 for 1st half, AC8
6 for 2nd half, AC6
The literature in our file published before
1956, when Schouten held both positions of party chairman and
party leader in the second chamber, stressed the power of the
party leader and the devotion of his following. When these
positions were separated during the second half of our period,
however, policy formation became less centralized. One source
notes that the ARP shift on its New Guinea policy in 1961 was
announced in parliament by Bruins Slot, the leader in the lower
chamber, but was explained by Berghuis, the party chairman, as the
result of deliberations among top-level leadership.
9.06 controlling communications
5, AC5
The ARP has a limited amount of control
over the protestant media in that they have interlocking
directorates, and this control seems to be at the national level.
However, the protestant media are not regarded as very
influential.
9.07 administering discipline
0, AC3
As with most other Dutch parties, the ARP
does not seem to have any means of administering discipline other
than exclusion from candidacy. An ARP parliamentarian may vote
against party lines without even this punishment if his vote does
not deny a basic party position and if he informs the party leader
of his plans.
9.08 leadership concentration
6 for 1st half, AC7
3 for 2nd half, AC5
It seems clear that there was a greater
concentration of leadership power in the first half of our time
period when Schouten held both positions of party chairman and
party leader in the second chamber. During the second period, it
seems unlikely that Berghuis and Bruins Slot, holding the two
positions respectively, together could wield the influence that
Schouten had commanded, and the members of the executive probably
needed to be involved in major decisions. (see the discussion for
variable 9.05.)
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 legislative cohesion
.90, AC5
The party seems to be highly cohesive as a
group in parliament, and nearly completely so. Seldom does an ARP
parliamentarian vote against the party line.
10.02 ideological factionalism
5, AC7
The ARP is a religious party which draws
members of the Calvinist church who may belong to either the
conservative or liberal blocs. Within the party, debate often
occurs concerning the party's position on class questions, and
identifiable conservative and liberal wings exist, both of which
contain a sizable number of adherents. These debates usually
culminate with a compromise within the party.
10.03 issue factionalism
1, AC4
The conservative and liberal blocs within
the ARP often divide over class issues, but these factions seem to
be transient in character as the issue arises and disappears.
Those issues which are of longer duration normally are solved by
means of a compromise within the party.
10.04 leadership factionalism
0 for 1st half, AC5
1 for 2nd half, AC3
Our information file contains no
discussions of leadership factionalism within the ARP. There
certainly seemed to be an absence of leadership contests dung the
first half of our period, when Schouten was both party chairman
and leader in the second chamber. But it is inferred that this
situation changed somewhat during the second half of the period
when the leadership was divided between the party executive and
the parliamentary group.
10.05 strategic or tactical
factionalism
0, AC3
There is no mention of any factional
tendencies occurring within the ARP concerning strategy or
tactics.
10.06 party purges
0 for 1st half, AC5
0 for 2nd half, AC5
No evidence suggests any involuntary
departures from the ARP during our time period.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 membership requirements
3, AC5
Since membership dues are collected and an
ARP periodical is sent to each member, membership lists are
probable and registration likely.
11.02 membership participation
2, AC3
Although little information is available,
it seems likely that most ARP members are marginal, attending
occasional meetings and performing some activity for the party at
some time. The ARP attempts to draw members to meetings by
providing entertainment and using church facilities.
11.03 material incentives
0, AC3
Militants probably are not motivated by
material incentives.
11.04 purposive incentives
1, AC3
Purposive incentives may motivate many
militants. The ARP is a religious party and draws those who favor
a Calvinist government.
11.05 doctrinism
1, AC8
The ARP was formed by Kuyper who also
established the basic doctrine of the party, drawing heavily upon
the works of his predecessor, Calvinist leader Groen van
Prinsterer. References to the works of these men are
common.
11.06 personalism
1, AC3
Because the party leader is placed in an
elevated status, his personality probably draws many
militants.