The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Party Name and Code
Number
Luxembourg
Socialist Labour or Workers Party, 272
Luxemberger Sozialistische Arbeiterpartei, 272
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 year of origin
and 1.02 name changes
1902, AC9 or
AC9
The Socialist Labor Party, which has undergone no name changes
since its inception, was forged in 1902 by Dr. Michel Welter. As
early as 1907, Welter was an elected representative on a Socialist
platform, but no formal party organization existed until a meeting
with other Socialists occurred in 1902.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
0, AC6
Our consultant states that there have been two splits in the
party. One in 1921 led to the formation of the Communist Party,
and another in 1971 led to the formation of the Social Democratic
Party (right-wing). However, these occurred before and after our
time period and are not counted in the scoring of this
variable.
1.04 Leadership
Competition
16, AC9
Leadership seems to have changed frequently since 1950. This is
most likely due to the electoral process of Luxembourg, which
forces leaders to be responsive to the people since elections can
be held often. It is important for leaders to remain popular, or
they hill not receive sufficient votes in a given election to
retain a leadership position. Michael Rasquin (party leader in
1951 and for many years prior), Paul Wilwertz (1959 chairman--many
years prior). And Henry Cravatte--1960--held the
leadership.
1.05 / 2.05&9;
Legislative Instability and Strength
Instability is .83,
AC9
Strength is .33 for 1950-56, AC9, and .33 for 1957-62, AC9
The Socialist representation remained remarkably stable during our
period, ranging between 35 and 33 percent of the seats, with the
latter figure constant from 1954 through 1962.
1.06 /
2.06&9;Electoral Instability and Strength
Instability is .03,
AC5
Strength is .34 for 1950-56, AC6, and .33 for 1957-62, AC5
Reflecting their high degree of legislative stability, the
Socialists fluctuated little in votes won at the polls during the
elections of 1951, 1954, and 1959. Their high was the 35 percent
for 1954, and their low was 33 percent won in each of the other
elections.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government
Discrimination
0, AC9
Since the Socialist Party has been in the government during most
of our time period. It is unlikely to assume that it would do
anything that would restrict its activities. For the years that it
has been out of the government. No evidence of discrimination
exists. The Democratic Party frequently has issued attacks in the
press on the party, but these seem to be only opposition
criticisms of the party in power.
2.02 Governmental
Leadership
0 out of 7 for
1950-56, AC6
0 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC6
While the party has participated in the government during a
majority of the years of our time period, it has never received
sufficient electoral strength to assume a position of dominance.
The position of dominance has always remained in the hands of the
CSV.
2.03 Cabinet
Participation
6 out of 7 for
1950-56, AC6
2 out of 6 for 1957-62, AC6
Because the party has received sufficient votes to be part of a
coalition government, it has been represented in the cabinet. The
decline in the number of years it served in the government in the
second time period is a result of the improved position of the
Democratic Party and a scandal in 1950 which saw one Socialist
Minister being accused by the press of accepting illegal funds.
The party participated continuously in the cabinet from
1951-50.
2.04 National
Participation
5, AC6
From election statistics it was determined that the party does
have national support, although it is spread unevenly across the
country. The party, like the CSV, does much better in the South
and center than in the East or North.
2.07 Outside
Origin
6, AC8
The party was founded by a doctor and some other citizens who were
listed but whose occupations here not given in the literature. Our
consultant says that the party was founded by a doctor and
intellectuals found support among labour leaders.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of
Means of Production
0, AC8
The party, according to its own statements, does not believe in
Communist state capitalism nor goes it believe in the corporate
economic system. Rather it believes in the workers themselves
having control of the means of production.
5.02 Government
Role in Economic Planning
3, AC9 the
Socialist
Party sees the role of the state as one of harmonizing the various
group interests and actively pursuing programs which are to the
benefit of the workers. Because it allows for public control and
ownership of activities, its control is not complete. Hence, it is
to be called upon to mediate in disputes that may
arise.
5.03 Redistribution
of Wealth
3, AC9
The party goes not seem to favor an immediate transformation of
society to redistribute income, at least in practice. Its rhetoric
may suggest that a violent and immediate change must occur. But
the party seems to realize that this is not possible. Hence, it
cooperates with the CSV in such things as economic expansion
programs and advocates excess profit tax.
5.04 Social
Welfare
5, AC9
The party is very much in favor of social welfare legislation. It
feels that the state must protect the people from want. Since the
party reentered the government in 1951, many social welfare bills
have passed increasing pensions, etc. The party also attaches
special importance to education and feels that it should be
available to all.
5.05 Secularization
of Society
0, AC8
The party is a lay party, but it cannot emphasize this fact in
public since the country is so predominantly Roman Catholic. The
party contends that socialism aims at spiritual freedom, that
everyone should be entitled to pursue any religious beliefs he
chooses, and that everyone should be free of any religious
harassment.
5.06 Support of the
Military
-5, AC9
The party recognizes the need for sore sort of a militia to
protect the civilian population and for the security of major
industries. However, it does argue for reform of the army
structure, reduction of military service, and a reduction of
Luxembourg's manpower commitment to Western European defense
system. It sees disarmament as the means to peace.
5.07 Alignment with
East-West blocs
-5. AC8
The party feels that Luxembourg should make a contribution to
western European defense through such organizations as NATO.
However. It insists that the support be in accordance with the
internal capabilities of Luxembourg.
5.08
Anti-Colonialism
0, AC8
Even though the country is involved in no colonial relationships,
the party has issued a statement rejecting all policies of
imperialism and colonialism.
5.09 Supranational
Integration
3, AC9
The party actively supports cooperative efforts of the various
countries, especially when they work to improve the worker's
standard of living. Also, the party believes that Socialists of
all countries should stand together. The party feels that European
unity should not lead to a weakening of democratic control which
would suggest that national boundaries should not be
eliminated.
5.10 National
Integration
3, AC5
Our consultant says that the party advocates the strengthening of
national influence on crucial economic sectors.
5.11 Electoral
Participation
5, AC9
Voting is compulsory in Luxembourg.
5.12 Protection of
Civil Rights
5, AC6
The party's only statement on this subject had to do with the
interference with religion. The party odes not feel chat anyone or
any institution hay interfere kith religion. Though no other
statements here made, it seems reasonable to assume that the party
would not advocate any other forms of discrimination. Our
consultant says that the party also supports the integration of
immigrants into the political system by conferring voting rights
in local elections.
5.13 Interference
with Civil Liberties
-3, AC6
Our consultant says that the party is opposed to all political
censorship.
5.14 / 5.15
US-Soviet experts left-right ratings
US says 3,
non-Communist left
Soviets say 2. A reformist party which enjoys influence among
sectors of the workers and the petty Bourgeoisie.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open
Competition in the Electoral Process
4, AC1
The party seems to be exclusively oriented to open competition,
although this choice of a code was made only because no
information existed to indicate that the party ever attempted to
restrict other parties' activities. The party is often mentioned
in newspaper accounts of the campaign activities, and no mention
or charge was ever made by the other parties (outside of the usual
campaign rhetoric) that the party was restricting the opposition's
activities.
6.10 Restricting
Party Competition
0, AC7
As mentioned above, no evidence exists to indicate that the party
has ever tried to restrict the activities of opposition
parties.
6.20 Subverting the
Political System
0, AC9
As a frequent government party, the Socialists have little
incentive for subversion.
6.30 Propagandizing
Ideas and Program
6.31--2. AC6.
The party publishes a newspaper for the general party as hell 4s
one for the youth of the party.
6.32--0, AC3.
There is no evidence of party schools.
6.33--2, AC6.
The party publishes resolutions which generally cone from the
party congresses.
6.34--2, AC6.
6.50 Providing for
Welfare of Party Members
AC1
No information.
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of
Funds
7, AC6
Our file contains no information on sources of funds. Our
consultant states that, between elections, the party gets its
funds from dues and elected officials. During campaigns, the labor
movement also contributes funds, but how much is not
known.
7.02 Source of
Members
5, AC3
The party is closely allied kith the general workers union which
comprises 70 to so percent of all organized labor in the country.
It seems reasonable to assume chat some of the Socialist party
members come from this group. But there is no evidence to suggest
that one has to be a member of one organization to be a member of
the other.
7.03 Sources of
Leaders
2, AC5
Our file contains no information on sources of leaders. Our
consultant says that the leadership is composed mainly of
intellectuals and labor leaders from both manual and white-collar
occupations.
7.04 Relations with
Domestic Parties
4 for 1950-56,
AC8
5 for 1957-62, AC8
The party participates as a coalition partner in the government
whenever it can, though it has never achieved a position of
dominance over the CSV. In 1959 when the party could not agree on
a new coalition program kith the CSV, it dropped out of the
government and became part of the parliamentary opposition kith
the Communists.
7.05 Relations with
Foreign Organizations
4, AC6
The party belonged to the Socialist International throughout our
time period. And the party feels that Socialists have to work
together. However, the party has been very critical of other
socialist parties in other countries.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural
Articulation
9, AC7
There are regular meetings of the various party organizations.
Such as the National Executive Committee and the Party General
Council. The Party Congress meets annually and it elects the
National Executive Committee of the party. Other organs, such as
the various party committees and the Party General Council, also
meet. Method of selection to some positions is indeterminate. But
in other cases members are either appointed or
elected.
8.02 Intensiveness
of Organization
3, AC5
One mention is made of a Socialist section in a suburban area and
there is also a reference to local patty units. Our consultant
states that sections are organized to cover a
municipality.
8.03 Extensiveness
of Organization
AC1
No information.
8.04 Frequency of
Local Meetings
3, AC5
Our consultant reports that the 1973 party statutes specify
meetings at least twice a year for sections.
8.05 Frequency of
National Meetings
AC1
Not possible to determine how often the National Committee
meets.
8.06 Maintaining
Records
7, AC5
The party publishes a party magazine covering party attitudes
towards various subjects. A paper for socialist youth is also
published. In addition to this the party maintains lists of
candidates (although no evidence states that these are general
membership lists) and also issues resolutions and platforms. A
party history has been written, thus the party probably has a good
archive or research division.
8.07 pervasiveness
of organization
7, AC6
According to one source, the general workers union is "closely
connected' kith the Socialists. What this actually means cannot be
determined, but the union does constitute 70 to 80 percent of
organized workers. So some influence should exist. The fact that p
paper for Socialist youth is published indicates that some support
from youth is acquired, but no evidence was found of institutional
support.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01
Nationalization of Structure
AC2
The National Party Congress appears to be the ultimate authority
in terns of determining party policy. Local and regional units are
consulted and represented, but the congress itself makes the
decisions. Various executive committees are chosen from this
group. The extent to which the national organizations act on the
local organs cannot be determined.
9.02 Selecting the
National Leader
7, AC6
The Chairman, Vice-chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary of the party
are appointed by the Executive Committee which is elected by the
delegates to the Party Congress who are representatives of the
local and regional organizations.
9.03 Selecting
Parliamentary Candidates
5, AC6
The literature in our file contains no information concerning the
selection of candidates. Our consultant states that candidates for
the districts are proposed by the district assembly. However. This
list must be approved by the party director and, in case of
contestation. By the general council.
9.04 Allocating
Funds
AC1
No information.
9.05 Formulating
Policy
3 for for 1950-56,
AC3
3 for for 1957-62, AC6
For the first period no information was available, but the
procedure would presumably be the same though no substantive
evidence exists to support this guess. For the second period. The
adoption of a new program was being considered. A draft of the
program was prepared by the party executive in cooperation kith
various special party committees on various subjects. The general
council, which was enlarged for this activity and to whom the
first draft was submitted. Appointed a drafting committee to work
out a second draft for submission to the next party congress. This
second graft would be submitted to the local units for
consideration.
9.06 Controlling
Communications
AC2
Information does exist in the file on the party communications,
but it is not sufficient to determine the locus of control of that
media.
9.07 Administering
Discipline
4, AC6
There is no discussion of the administration of discipline in our
file. Our consultant states that the parliamentary fraction is
controlled by the party directorate. The control commission and
above all, by the general council. In the party directorate. There
can (since 1973) only be 5 members of government, parliamentary
fraction or council of state. In order to preserve the party's
autonomy.
9.08 Leadership
Concentration
3, AC8
Leadership lies in the Executive Committee of the party which
appoints the four major offices of the party, Chairman,
Vice-chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. Not all decisions can be
made by this group or the party executive, since policy like the
new program was submitted to the local units of the
party.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative
Cohesion
AC2
During the first time period. The party seemed to be highly
cohesive since the Democratic Party charged that unity in the
CSV-SAP alliance was maintained at the expense of the people. This
unity between the parties would suggest strong internal unity to
maintain the alliance. In the second tine period, the young
Socialists split with the party on the military question which had
previously unified the party. This would seem to weaken the
cohesiveness of the party. The clash occurred between the young
Socialists and the party leadership at a party congress, but it is
not possible to determine what effect this had on parliamentary
voting behavior.
10.02 Ideological
Factionalism
1, AC3
The ideology of the party had been fairly well established in the
initial principles of the party during its inception. However,
questions of ideology would most likely come up in discussions of
the party programs which take place in the National Congress of
the party, hence they are subject to debate, but no factions were
found to exist during our time period. The Social Democrats split
in 1971. However, was due to ideological and personal reasons. The
majority of the Congress disapproved the party directorate which
forbade coalitions with Communists on a local, municipal level.
After the split, ideological questions -what is socialism and now
to build it - became again acute.
10.03 Issue
Factionalism
1 for for 1950-56,
AC3
3 for for 1957-62, AC6
During the first time period no factions appear, even though
issues are subject to debate. However, in the second time period
the party experienced internal problems over the military question
and other program differences which caused the young Socialists to
split with the party over the military question. Debates also
occurred between the workers of the party and the middle class
members over the other program differences.
10.04 Leadership
Factionalism
1, AC3
Open competition for the position of party leader is not evident,
and no mention is made of any covert process. However, our
consultant advises that during our tine period there were personal
followings for Michael Rasquin, Jean Fohrmann, and Pierre
Vrier.
10.05 Strategic or
Tactical Factionalism
AC1
No information.
10.06 Party
Purges
0, AC9
No evidence of any purges was found in the literature during our
time period, but our consultant says that one-third of the members
were expelled in 1971.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership
Requirements
2, AC3
Dues may be required for membership in the party, but this is
subject to question because of a translation problem (beitrag may
mean either dues or contribution). The translation dues is
probably correct, but there is no other evidence to confirm or
deny this.
11.02 Membership
Participation
AC1
It is virtually impossible to determine in which category most
members of the party fall. Evidence that party militants exist can
be found, but their relative strength cannot be determined. Local,
regional, and national meetings are held. But again it is
impossible to determine the number of participants.
11.03 Material
Incentives
AC1
No information.
11.04 Purposive
Incentives
AC1
No information.
11.05
Doctrinism
2, AC3
The party principles are published and party newspapers to exist
so it can be said that literature does exist which contains party
doctrine. Which often reflects the writings of Marx, Engels,
Bernstein, and Jaures.
11.06
Personalism
0, AC3
There is no evidence to suggest that any substantial portion of
the party militants are devoted followers of particular
leaders.