The Influences of Catholic Social Teaching in the New Political Climate of Croatia Cover Image

Utjecaj katoličkog socijalnog učenja u novoj političkoj klimi Hrvatske
The Influences of Catholic Social Teaching in the New Political Climate of Croatia

Author(s): Antun Šundalić
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Political Theory, Politics and religion, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010)
Published by: Fakultet političkih znanosti u Zagrebu
Keywords: Catholicism; catholic social thinking; influence; political climate; Croatia;

Summary/Abstract: Croatia is a country in which Christian (Catholic) tradition has taken deep roots. The new political structure has enabled the revival of the Catholic tradition not only at the level of human rights and freedoms but at the level of political activism as well (Christiandemocratic parties). Christian values, important for the economic, political, cultural, and moral life, which have been advocated by the Catholic Church in its social teachings, are no longer marginalized in Croatia. On the other hand, liberal values of democratic capitalism of the West have also significantly increased its sway over Croatian economy and politics. Although the recent history of the relation between liberalism and Christianity does not give evidence of their mutual respect regarding freedom and democracy (but of a critical distance, rather), the reality of democratic capitalism (USA, for example) points to the necessity of establishing new relations. Croatia is a suitable space in which the relationship between the liberal and the Catholic values may change from the critical to the constructive distance.

  • Issue Year: XXXII/1995
  • Issue No: 03+04
  • Page Range: 200-212
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Croatian