Christiandemocratic

Christiandemocratic is an umbrella term used to describe political ideologies, parties, and movements that ground democratic citizenship in Christian ethical principles. It is closely related to Christian democracy, and the term is often used interchangeably with Christian democratic in scholarly and public discourse. Christiandemocratic actors seek to reconcile faith with liberal democratic institutions, emphasizing human dignity, the family, solidarity, and the common good, while supporting pluralism, rule of law, and peaceful political competition.

Historically, Christiandemocratic currents emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries in response to industrialization, social fragmentation, and liberal capitalism. They were influenced by Catholic social teaching, including Rerum Novarum (1891), as well as Protestant social ethics. The movement advocated a social market economy in which the state provides a safety net and regulates markets to ensure social cohesion, while avoiding both socialism and unrestrained laissez-faire.

In practice, Christiandemocratic parties are typically center or center-right and have played a leading role in many European states after World War II. Notable examples include Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Netherlands' Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Italy's historical Democrazia Cristiana, and various Christian democratic parties across Latin America. They often champion European integration, subsidiarity, and moderate welfare policies, while maintaining a focus on family and social ethics.

Today, Christiandemocratic movements face challenges from secularization, political polarization, and the decline of traditional religious affiliations, prompting ongoing adaptation and reform within pluralist democracies.