Radical Socialist Party (Luxembourg)
Encyclopedia
The Radical Socialist Party was a progressive
Luxembourg
ian political party that existed from 1925 to 1932. It was the successor of the Liberal League
, but, unlike its predecessor, it existed as an organised extra-parliamentary party, marking itself as Luxembourg's first true liberal political party. It was the predecessor of the Radical Liberal Party
and, ultimately, of the current Democratic Party
.
The party was founded from the remnants of the Liberal League, which had been riven by ideological splits between the classical liberal
'old liberals' led by the party's founder Robert Brasseur
and the progressive
'new liberals' led by the Mayor of Luxembourg City, Gaston Diderich
. When the Liberal League collapsed, the progressives reformed under Diderich's leadership as the Radical Socialist Party (the name reflecting its left-wing tendencies compared to its predecessor).
The party was instantly accepted into a new coalition government, headed by Pierre Prüm
of the small populist
Independent National Party
. The government lasted only one year, before falling apart due to ideological strains between its constituent parties and with the Socialist Party. In 1928, a faction broke away under the leadership of Marcel Cahens as a protest against the party's involvement in the Party of the Right
government of Joseph Bech.
However, the parties remained close, and eventually reunited in 1932 as the Radical Liberal Party
, which would take part in governments from 1932 until 1938. After the Second World War
, the liberal movement would find itself united again with the emergence of the Democratic Party
.
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
ian political party that existed from 1925 to 1932. It was the successor of the Liberal League
Liberal League (Luxembourg)
The Liberal League was a political party in Luxembourg between 1904 and 1925. It was the indirect predecessor of the Democratic Party , which has been one of the three major parties in Luxembourg since the Second World War....
, but, unlike its predecessor, it existed as an organised extra-parliamentary party, marking itself as Luxembourg's first true liberal political party. It was the predecessor of the Radical Liberal Party
Radical Liberal Party (Luxembourg)
The Radical Liberal Party , abbreviated to PRL, was a Luxembourgian political party that existed from 1932 until 1945. It was the main party bridging the gap between the former Liberal League and the current Democratic Party....
and, ultimately, of the current Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Luxembourg)
The Democratic Party , abbreviated to DP, is the major liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.Founded in...
.
The party was founded from the remnants of the Liberal League, which had been riven by ideological splits between the classical liberal
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
'old liberals' led by the party's founder Robert Brasseur
Robert Brasseur
Robert Brasseur was a Luxembourgian politician, jurist, and journalist.Brasseur was educated at the Athénée de Luxembourg, before studying law at University of Strasbourg and in Paris. While in Paris, he became a bibliophile, starting a library to which he would continue to contribute over the...
and the progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
'new liberals' led by the Mayor of Luxembourg City, Gaston Diderich
Gaston Diderich
Gaston Diderich was a Luxembourgian politician and jurist. He was the Mayor of Luxembourg City from 1921 until his death in 1946, making his the longest uninterrupted tenure in the city's history...
. When the Liberal League collapsed, the progressives reformed under Diderich's leadership as the Radical Socialist Party (the name reflecting its left-wing tendencies compared to its predecessor).
The party was instantly accepted into a new coalition government, headed by Pierre Prüm
Pierre Prüm
Pierre Prüm was a Luxembourgian politician and jurist. He was the 14th Prime Minister of Luxembourg, serving for a year, from March 20, 1925 until July 16, 1926.-Early life:...
of the small populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
Independent National Party
Independent National Party (Luxembourg)
The Independent National Party , abbreviated as PNI, was a populist political party in Luxembourg in the interwar period.The party was founded in 1918 by disgruntled members of the Party of the Right. The most prominent of the founders was Pierre Prüm, who was appointed the party's leader...
. The government lasted only one year, before falling apart due to ideological strains between its constituent parties and with the Socialist Party. In 1928, a faction broke away under the leadership of Marcel Cahens as a protest against the party's involvement in the Party of the Right
Party of the Right (Luxembourg)
The Party of the Right , abbreviated to PD, was a political party in Luxembourg between 1914 and 1944. It was the direct predecessor of the Christian Social People's Party , which has ruled Luxembourg for all but five years since....
government of Joseph Bech.
However, the parties remained close, and eventually reunited in 1932 as the Radical Liberal Party
Radical Liberal Party (Luxembourg)
The Radical Liberal Party , abbreviated to PRL, was a Luxembourgian political party that existed from 1932 until 1945. It was the main party bridging the gap between the former Liberal League and the current Democratic Party....
, which would take part in governments from 1932 until 1938. After the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the liberal movement would find itself united again with the emergence of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (Luxembourg)
The Democratic Party , abbreviated to DP, is the major liberal political party in Luxembourg. One of the three major parties, the DP sits on the centre-right, holding moderate market liberal views combined with a strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights, and internationalism.Founded in...
.