Pillarization (verzuiling) and Political Parties

Samenvatting

Sociologists have long studied pillarization as a special societal structure. Two hypotheses have been presented to explain its origin: (1) Pillarization is the structural effect of a triple (Catholic, Protestant, socialist) emancipation movement. (2) Pillarization is a consequence of the churches' retreat into a ghetto to preserve their integrity against hostile surroundings. Both hypotheses contain internal contradictions. The importance of democratization, especially the political parties' development, was not adequately considered. This led to an alternative hypothesis: pillarization is the structural result of political parties' mobilizing campaign based on religion & ideology. This sufficiently explains pillarization, its origin, & dynamics. Pillarization sociology is now considered part of a political party's sociology, referring especially to the 'parties of integration.' 2 Tables. HA.