Political Catholicism in Europe 1918-1965 - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198203195 ISBN 13: 9780198203193

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 1996

Synopsis

In the twentieth century, Catholics have been enthusiastic supporters of the dictatorships of Franco and Salazar, victims of Nazism in Germany, and advocates of Christian Democracy in post-war Europe. What unites these experiences? Focusing on the years between the end of the First World War and the Second Vatican Council, a group of expert historians tackle this issue on a country-by-country basis, investigating how far Catholicism represented not only a religious but also a major political and social force in European politics. The issues covered include Christian Democracy, the best-known expression of Catholic political activity, as well as various lesser-known forms such as Catholic Action, corporatism, Catholic trade unions and other lay movements. In this authoritative and stimulating book, the contributors clearly demonstrate that political Catholicism has been unduly neglected by historians of twentieth-century Europe. This pioneering volume will be of value to scholars, students, and all those interested in understanding the role of Catholicism in this century.

About this title

Review:

... particularly instructive concerning the corporatist concepts of political Catholicism as well as its 'enthusiastic support' for authoritarian regimes. (Journal of Contemporary History)

... an impressive group of essays ... Solid research on each country is amply displayed here by the wealth of notes to each chapter, and the reader benefits. These footnotes, alone, in Buchanan's and Conways's admirable book will keep this student occupied for a long time. (The Historical Catholic Review)

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0198203195
• ISBN 13: 9780198203193
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 324
• Editor: Buchanan Tom, Conway Martin