Bankers and politics in Belgium in the twentieth century

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511550416.006

5 - Bankers and politics in Belgium in the twentieth century

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 March 2010

Ginette Kurgan-van Hentenryk

Edited by

Terry Gourvish

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Ginette Kurgan-van Hentenryk: Affiliation:
Free University of Brussels
Terry Gourvish: Affiliation:
London School of Economics and Political Science

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Summary

When considering the relationship between the worlds of banking and politics in Belgium during the twentieth century, we cannot fail to be struck by the abrupt changes triggered by the two world wars. Consequently, we shall first consider bankers and politics on the eve of World War I. Second, we shall analyse how the war resulted in a leading role for bankers in Belgian politics in the inter-war period. Finally, we will attempt to understand their low profile in politics since World War II.

Bankers and politics on the eve of World War I

It must be remembered that during the nineteenth century, under the property qualification for voting rights in force until 1893, parliament was a centre of power fought over by Liberals and Catholics, in which the business world was determined to gain a foothold. The adoption of universal suffrage (mitigated by plural votes) in 1893 did little to alter the situation, insofar as the Catholics were able to keep an absolute majority and remain in power from 1884 up to the First World War.

The relationship between the worlds of banking and politics can be analysed on two levels. On the one hand, private bankers, though few in number, were beginning to secure election. A seat in parliament was an essential feature of social prominence, especially in the provinces. Most of them were Liberals.

Type: Chapter
Information: Business and Politics in Europe, 1900–1970
Essays in Honour of Alice Teichova
, pp. 89 - 105

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511550416.006 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2003

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5 - Bankers and politics in Belgium in the twentieth century

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