Pillarisation

Pillarisation (or verzuiling in Dutch) is a term used to describe the socio-political process that occurred primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium, whereby society was divided into several vertically integrated social structures, or "pillars," based on ideology or religion. This phenomenon was most prominent in the 20th century, particularly in the period between the end of World War I and the late 1960s. Pillarisation led to the segregation of society into distinct segments, each with its own social institutions such as schools, newspapers, political parties, and even recreational clubs. The main pillars were generally Catholic, Protestant, socialist, and liberal.

Background

The roots of pillarisation can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of rapid industrialization and social change. In the Netherlands and Belgium, as in many other parts of Europe, these changes led to increased social and political mobilization. Different social groups sought to protect their interests and identities in the face of modernization, leading to the formation of tightly-knit communities organized around religious or ideological lines.

Mechanisms

Pillarisation was characterized by a high degree of organization within each pillar. Each pillar had its own set of institutions, including but not limited to schools, universities, hospitals, newspapers, and broadcasting stations. This segregation was not only social but also spatial, with members of different pillars living in separate neighborhoods and participating in separate social clubs and activities.

Impact

The impact of pillarisation on Dutch and Belgian society was profound. It contributed to social cohesion within the pillars but also led to segregation and a lack of interaction between different social groups. This segregation was reinforced by the political system, which encouraged cooperation between the leaders of the pillars to maintain social stability. This system of consociational democracy helped to prevent conflict but also entrenched the divisions within society.

Decline

The decline of pillarisation began in the late 1960s and was largely complete by the 1980s. Several factors contributed to this decline, including increased social mobility, secularization, and the rise of new social movements that did not fit within the traditional pillar structure. As society became more individualized, the collective identities that had underpinned the pillars weakened, leading to a more integrated and less segmented society.

Legacy

Despite its decline, the legacy of pillarisation can still be seen in the Netherlands and Belgium today. Many of the institutions created during the period of pillarisation, such as schools and broadcasting organizations, still exist, although they now serve a broader audience. The concept of pillarisation has also been used to understand similar phenomena in other countries, where social segmentation occurs along religious or ideological lines.

See Also

• Consociationalism
• Social cohesion
• Secularization
• Social mobility

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