Mike Huckabee's stunning victory in Thursday's Iowa caucuses does more than change the GOP nomination race. With a platform explicitly grounded in his Christian faith and a populist economic message, Mr. Huckabee offers the Republican Party a new political narrative, light years removed from the limited government principles governing the GOP in the Reagan and post-Reagan era.
This pro-faith, pro-government message may sound strange to American ears--but it is a staple of conservative political parties on the European continent. Mr. Huckabee, in other words, essentially gives Republicans a choice: Does the GOP want to become a Christian Democratic party? To answer that question, Republicans should look carefully at Christian Democracy to see if it is a model worth emulating.
Is a faith-based, pro-government party necessary for political success?
Christian Democracy is a reaction to the classical liberalism and socialism that came of age in late 19th century Europe. Both of these movements threatened the faithful with their secularism and economic theories. Classical liberal emphasis on unfettered markets evoked fears of untrammeled greed and exploitation of workers; socialism made many fear for the future of private property.
...These parties uphold marriage and the traditional family as the bedrocks of society. They also advocate economic policies typified by the CDU's ideal of a "social market economy," which emphasizes the need for both government-provided welfare and capitalism. Contemporary Christian Democratic parties are also some of the staunchest supporters of rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. They reach this conclusion from the principle of "Christian stewardship," which the Norwegian Christian Democrats say "implies that the resources of the Earth should be taken care of for the best of present and future generations." - American Enterprise Institute
Christian Democracy is a best of all worlds kind of party as it combines elements of socialism, capitalism, and environmentalism.
On a side note, it looks like Think This will be returning after a three month hiatus.
Christian Democrats? What the fuck is that? Sure they have some ides that might tie in with a Christian foundations, but really they're not pushing religion in any way.
ReplyDeleteI read the article, yet I'm still wondering why they've earned such a name.
ReplyDeleteI read the article, thinking, what a douche, Glen.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe you should go into the article with an open mind.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should write an article with a brain. Douche.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should stop commenting on every post. This isn't a forum where your post count counts.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should buy yourself a brain, or go to the wizard of oz to get one.
ReplyDelete