A Preliminary Survey on the Emergence of Christian Democratic Ideology

Abstract

The relationship between Christianity and Democracy is quite interesting, as it shows how historically contested concepts and ideologies can be merged in line with contemporary societal demands -at least- in some European countries. The fundamental objective of Christian Democracy is to maintain a novel societal order and repair the deep injuries inflicted on societies by wars and political regimes in Europe. This has grown since at least the mid-19th century, peaking during the World Wars in the first part of the 20th century, particularly amid new forms of political regimes such as fascism and communism in Europe. Through its revival and the unification of its political dimensions in the context of Zero Hour, Christian Democracy is regarded as “Western Europe’s most successful political movement since 1945” (Hegstad, 2023). The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany reflects that political movement well from 1945 to today. This paper revisits key elements of this movement, using a historical-political approach and documentary methods. This qualitative study employs library research and analyses of historical and epistemological perspectives to examine the ideological principles of Christian Democracy, including a theoretical critique of relevant concepts and the paradigm of Christian political culture. This revisit is timely amid global uncertainties, particularly in the Western sphere.