FROM PULPIT TO PARTY - PARTY FORMATION AND THE CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRATIC PHENOMENON

A simple model of party formation supplies microfoundations for Lipset and Rokkan's classic theory and explains the formation of confessiona l parties as the contingent and unwanted by-product of strategic choic es made by the church and conservative political elites under constrai nts. By mobilizing lay Catholics as Catholics, the church and conserva tive elites created a new political actor, the confessional party, wit h its own preferences. This process of party formation has far-reachin g consequences, and the distinctive and puzzling characteristics of co ntemporary Christian Democracy can be traced back to it.