Page - 298 - in Otto Bauer (1881–1938) - Thinker and Politician

298 chapter 8 bourgeoisieintothearmsofthefascists,whointendedtobringabouttheirdic- tatorshipatallcosts.8 Seipel’s ‘strongman’politics led toanothergovernmental crisis.9 In Johann Schober’s government (26 September 1919–25 September 1930), the personal andideologicalinfluenceoftheHeimwehrwasveryweakasthenewchancellor provedtobe,againstallexpectations,adefenderofthedemocraticfoundations of the state. He did not consider the Heimwehr as having the potential to seize power. While the Heimwehr was very disappointed with his politics, the Social Democrats gained new hope. In 1929, they began to co-operate withJohannSchober’sgovernmentonanamendmenttotheconstitutionthat Ernst Streeruwitz’s cabinet had initiated. The new draft was introduced to parliamenton18October1929.AsRennerrightlypointedout,itwasanattempt to reintroduceemergency lawsagainst the socialists.10Bauerallowedhimself to be duped, believing the lawwas to be a barrier against the fascisisation of the country.Naturally, the churchandChristianSocial Partyhaddifferent hopesfortheamendmententirely: theyexpectedthat itwouldstrengthenthe power of the Federal President and transform the Federal Assembly into an assemblyrepresentingtheestates(Stände).TheHeimwehralsosupportedthe amendment,anticipatingthat itwould increasetheauthorityof thestateand finallyallowit tosettlescoreswithSocialDemocracy.11 In 1930, the fascist programme ratified at themeeting in Korneuburg on 18May 1930wasconsolidated.OthmarSpann, aphilosopherandprofessorat ViennaUniversity,provideditsphilosophicalformula,the‘oathofKorneuburg’. Its principles included the rejectionof democracy as a threat to culture and thedemand for ahierarchicalpower structure.The ‘oathofKorneuburg’was an early warning for the planned abolition of parliamentarism, seizure of power, and creation of an authoritarian statemodelled on the principles of ItalianFascism.Theambivalent attitudeof theChristianSocial Party toward Heimwehr activities at the time isworthyof attention. The rightwingof the party supported the ideology expressed in the ‘oath of Korneuburg’, while 8 SeePelinka1984,p.56. 9 Seipeldidnotagreetoanamnestyfortheparticipantsintheriotsof15July1927,whichled tomanyCatholicsleavingthechurchinprotest.In1927alone,21,857Catholicsabandoned thechurch,andin1929,Seipelhadtoresignaschancellor.CompareLeichter1964,p.62. 10 Renner1965,p.301. 11 The new constitution strengthened the position of the federal president and gave the governmenttherighttopassemergencydecrees.On15March1933,Dollfussmadeuseof thisright,dissolvingparliamentandapplying‘fullwarandindustrialauthorisation’dating backto1917.