From Progressivism to Conservatism: The Social Policy of the Hungarian Association of Industrialists (GyOSz) In the Era of Dualism and After World War I

Abstract

The purpose of the study. To examine how and why the social policies of the GyOSz and its attitude towards a broadening of suffrage changed from progressive ones in the period of Dualism to conservative ones in the Horthy Era. Applied methods. Literature review including the author’s 1980 dissertation and subsequently published works on the topic by him and other authors. Outcomes. The GyOSz, many of whose members were of Jewish origin, sided with progressive groups in promoting a broadening of suffrage and some social policy measures in the period before World War. They did so in hopes of building an urban alliance that opposed the economic policies and antisemitism of the agrarian interest groups. Shocked by their experience during the latter months of Károlyi’s republic and especially the Soviet Republic in 1919, the industrialists of the GyOSz threw their full support behind the conservative Horthy regime rather than making cause with the Social Democrats for progressive reforms. They did this to their peril since the Horthy regime initially promoted antisemitism and later was unable to contain it. Many members of the GyOSz suffered from the antisemitic laws and the subsequent Holocaust at the end of World War II.