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How the Catholic Church Influences Italian Politics

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How the Catholic Church Influences Italian Politics How the Catholic Church Influences Italian Politics Anders Kjølen Master Thesis Autumn 2017 Department of Comparative Politics University of Bergen I Abstract The Catholic Church has a unique relationship with Italy, with the location of the Vatican in the heart of Rome. From the time of the Italian unification in 1861, the Catholic Church has used different strategies to influence Italian politics. From boycotting Italian politics through the Non Expedit in 1874, to influencing politics through the Partito Popolare Italiano from 1919, collaborating with the Fascist regime from the 1920s, and the very influential cooperation with the Democrazia Cristiana (DC) in the post-war era. Following the Tangentopoli and the fall of the First Republic, it was no longer possible for the Catholic Church to influence politics through the DC. New strategies were needed. The objective of this thesis is to find out which strategies the Catholic Church has used, with an emphasis on the period after the First Republic. My research question is as follows: “How has the Catholic Church pursued various strategies to influence Italian politics, with an emphasis on the period after the fall of the First republic?” To answer the research question, I have conducted qualitative document analysis. The theoretical framework is based on theories which comprise the influence of the Catholic Church, and religious organizations as a whole, on politics, religious organizations, and how churches can use popular referendums to affect politics. The findings indicate that the Catholic Church no longer exerts influence through one Christian democratic party, but that Catholic politicians are spread across all parties. In this way, Catholic values can be included in party politics, regardless of whether the party is on the Leftwing, Rightwing, or center. Catholic organizations have played an important role in exerting influence on Italian politics on behalf of the Catholic Church. Especially through the organizations Comunione e Liberazione, and the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana. When facing a popular referendum in 2005, the Catholic Church encouraged its adherents to abstain from voting. In this way, the vote did not reach the minimum requirement of 50 percent voter turnout, for the vote to be valid. The Pope, bishops, and clergy were active in encouraging the adherents of the Catholic Church. This occurred to a much higher degree than when facing popular referendums in the past. Some would claim that the Catholic Church has left the party for the pulpit, and to some degree this is true. II Acknowledgments Writing this thesis has been both a challenging, and joyful, project. While finishing this project, I feel much gratitude. And thus, there are a lot of people who deserve a thank you. I want to thank my supervisor, Associate Professor Einar Berntzen. Thank you for guidance, constructive feedback, and motivation. Our meetings have been of great importance to me and the result of this thesis. Your enthusiasm in general, and for this thesis in particular, has meant a lot to me. Thank you for helping me beyond what is required of you. To all my fellow students at Sophie Lindstrøm, thank you for motivation, long lunchbreaks, discussions, and laughs. Thank you to Philippe and Magnus for discussions and feedback. A special thank you to Elise, who has given me an incredible joy, motivation, and encouragement in challenging times. Thank you for all the laughs, and that I am able to share my worries with you. I would also like to thank all my other friends who have supported me, offered to proofread this thesis, and cheered me on. You have made this process a whole lot easier. A special thank you to my family. Thank you for your love, support and encouragement. Thank you all for cheering me on. My niece and nephews, thank you for giving me an immense joy. Bergen, November 2017 Anders Kjølen III Table of Contents ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. III TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... 1 ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 3 TABLES ......................................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 7 1.1 RESEARCH QUESTION .................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 WHY IS THIS RESEARCH IMPORTANT? ............................................................................................ 8 1.3 THE STRUCTURE OF THE THESIS ..................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ....................................................................... 11 2.1 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND INFLUENCE ON POLITICS ...................................................................... 11 2.2 POLITICAL PARTIES .................................................................................................................... 13 2.3 ORGANIZATIONS ....................................................................................................................... 15 2.4 REFERENDUMS ......................................................................................................................... 16 CHAPTER 3: METHOD ............................................................................................................. 19 3.1 CASE STUDY ............................................................................................................................. 19 3.2 CASE AND CASE SELECTION .......................................................................................................... 20 3.3 THE COMPARATIVE METHOD ...................................................................................................... 21 3.4 PROCESS TRACING ..................................................................................................................... 22 3.5 DATA COLLECTION .................................................................................................................... 23 3.6 VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY .......................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 4: A BRIEF HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE ..................................................... 29 4.1 UNIFICATION OF ITALY TO THE PPI (1861-1922) .......................................................................... 29 4.2 MUSSOLINI (1922-43) ............................................................................................................. 31 4.3 POST-WAR ERA (1946-92) ....................................................................................................... 33 4.4 REFERENDUMS DURING THE POST-WAR ERA ................................................................................ 36 4.4.1 The 1974 Referendum on Divorce ................................................................................. 37 4.4.2 The 1981 Referendum on Abortion ................................................................................ 38 4.5 TANGENTOPOLI AND MANI PULITE .............................................................................................. 40 4.6 IN SUM ................................................................................................................................... 41 CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................... 43 5.1 THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PARTY POLITICS ................................................................................ 43 5.1.1 The Road Ahead for the DC Politicians ............................................................................. 43 5.1.2 The legacy of Catholic political parties and coalitions after 1992 .................................... 45 1 5.1.3 Why the Catholic Church Can No Longer Be a Major Influence Through Political Parties .......................................................................................................................................... 51 5.2 CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS AND MOVEMENTS .............................................................................. 55 5.2.1 Communion and Liberation ............................................................................................... 56 5.2.2 Conferenza Episcopale Italiana and Ruinismo ................................................................. 61 5.2.3 Catholic Movements, Organizations and Interest Groups’ Influence on Italian Politics 64 5.3 REFERENDUMS ......................................................................................................................... 65 5.3.1 1974 Legalization of divorce ............................................................................................... 65 5.3.2 1981 Referendum on Abortion ........................................................................................... 70 5.3.3 2005 Referendum on Assisted Reproduction ....................................................................
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