Christian Democracy vs Conservatism
Christian democracy applies Christian social teaching to politics, supporting the family, community, a social market economy and cooperation between nations.
- Every person has dignity and should never be treated only as a means.
- The family is the foundation of society and deserves public support.
- Subsidiarity: decisions should be made at the lowest level that can handle them well.
Conservatism values tradition, social stability and inherited institutions, and prefers gradual, tested change over large reforms based on abstract plans.
- Change should be gradual and build on existing institutions.
- Family, religion, local community and the nation give people meaning and stability.
- Human nature is imperfect, so laws and customs are needed to restrain it.
- Christian Democracy: petals and stars
- Conservatism: dashed outline
★ Where they differ most
- Welfare80 points apart
Christian Democracy: Shared (mild). Conservatism: Self-reliant (moderate).
- Markets70 points apart
Christian Democracy: Planned (mild). Conservatism: Free (moderate).
- Foreign policy70 points apart
Christian Democracy: Balanced. Conservatism: Strength (strong).
- Trade65 points apart
Christian Democracy: Global (moderate). Conservatism: Protected (mild).
★ Where they are closest
- Technology · 10 apart
- Religion · 10 apart
- Morality · 15 apart
Axis by axis
Conservatism
Economy
Equality / Markets- OwnershipMild: Private40%60%PublicPrivate
- MarketsMild: Planned63%37%PlannedFree
- WelfareMild: Shared63%37%SharedSelf-reliant
State and liberty
Liberty / Authority- AuthorityMild: Strong leader43%57%DemocraticStrong leader
- SecurityModerate: Order25%75%LibertyOrder
- StructureMild: Local55%45%LocalCentral
Society
Progress / Tradition- MoralityModerate: Traditional20%80%ProgressiveTraditional
- ReligionStrong: Religious13%87%SecularReligious
- TechnologyModerate: Caution30%70%EmbraceCaution
- CultureModerate: National identity28%72%MulticulturalNational identity
World
Global / Nation- TradeModerate: Global68%32%GlobalProtected
- Foreign policyBalanced53%47%CooperationStrength
★ 12 Axes Political Test ★
How close are you to Christian Democracy or Conservatism?
Answer plain statements on 12 axes and see your match with Christian Democracy or Conservatism and every other profile on the site, axis by axis.
FAQ
Christian Democracy vs Conservatism
What is the difference between Christian Democracy and Conservatism?
Christian democracy applies Christian social teaching to politics, supporting the family, community, a social market economy and cooperation between nations. Conservatism values tradition, social stability and inherited institutions, and prefers gradual, tested change over large reforms based on abstract plans. On the 12 axes they differ most on welfare, markets, foreign policy.
What do Christian Democracy and Conservatism have in common?
Their positions are closest on technology, religion, morality. Overall their profiles are a 78% match on the 12 axes used by the 12 Axes Political Test.
Am I closer to Christian Democracy or Conservatism?
Take the 12 Axes Political Test. Your result shows your match with both, and with every other ideology on the site, axis by axis.