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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