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Christian democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology and movement that began in large measure as a response to the anti-Christian and anti-cultural nature of the French Revolution and Marxism on the one hand, and the anti-worker and anti-social nature of Social Darwinism and laissez-faire capitalism on the other. While Christian Democrats today hold a variety of views, there is general agreement on certain issues. Broadly speaking, Christian democracy is a form of what today is sometimes called communitarianism, i.e. it is conservative (or focuses on the health of the community) in regard to moral and cultural issues; and progressive (or focuses on the health of the community) in regard to social justice, labor and socio-economic issues. It claims a strong social conscience, in the sense of great respect for the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death (i.e. a pro-life stance), emphasizing the alleviation of poverty, and maintenance of a basic level of societal protection (and welfare state if necessary) keeping the weak from abandonment and destitution, and the incentivising of (and if necessary the restraint of) market forces for the common good (see social market economy). It may also be seen as liberal as it upholds human rights and individual initiative (read personal responsibility). It may be seen as federalistic and traditional in that it emphasizes sphere sovereignty and subsidiarity, and maintaining local and regional cultural distinctives, as well as upholding universal traditions (e.g. traditional marriage). It may be seen as green in that it advocates positive stewardship of the creation, especially through using renewable energy, and avoiding activities that destroy the environment.
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