Liechtenstein, Alois von

LIECHTENSTEIN, Alois von. - Opponent of liberalism, leader of the Catholic social movement in Austria, b. 18 Nov. 1846 in Prague, d. 25 March 1920 in Vienna. A diplomat in London and Berlin, after 1873 he devoted himself entirely to the struggle against liberalism, becoming a pioneer of social reform, an advocate of new legislation along the social guidelines of Leo XIII, and a strong defender of the confessional school.

From 1878 to '89 he was a member of Parliament for the people's party of conservative Catholics; in 1889 he resigned from the post of head of the parliamentary bloc of the conservatives and entered into collaboration with Lueger and the Christian Social party, transforming it into a decided supporter of Catholic ideas in Austria. A celebrated author and ingenious organizer, a favorite of the people, "the red prince," as he was called by the liberals, he could not enjoy the confidence of the court until he had demonstrated his loyalty to the idea of the monarchy. In 1907 he succeeded in uniting the Christian Socials and the conservative Catholics in Parliament, and in 1910 he succeeded Lueger as president of the party, which he held until 1918. He was one of the greatest and most selfless pioneers of the Catholic social idea in Austria.