ABSTRACT

Th e fourfold process described in the last chapters-the incorporation of Protestants (especially in Germany), the founding of new parties, the ‘new look’ in social policy, and the reduction in parties’ de­ nominational ties-has led the Christian Democratic political movements over the last two generations to remarkable heights of power (Table 15). They have also become conscious of themselves as never before as an international movement, with a point of keen common concern in the movement for European unity. Members of Christian Democratic parties can still be found holding quite startling misconceptions about the policy and practice of similar parties in other countries. But the air has begun to be cleared, particularly since the foundation in 1947 of the Christian Democratic political international, the Union of Christian Democrats or Nouvelles Equipes Internationales (N.E.I.), followed by the foundation of the corresponding youth international in 1948. The N.E.I. is not, in form, an alliance of parties. It is an association of national groups made up of individuals interested in Christian Democratic politics and international co-operation. In practice, of course, this means groups associated with and financed and serviced by the parties where these exist; though the formula also makes it possible to bring in groups of East European or Spanish exiles, or delegations from countries such as Great Britain which have never had a Christian Democratic party, at any rate in the Continental sense. For some years the N.E.I. found it hard to fix its proper sphere of work. At times it touched directly on current politics; providing, for instance, an opportunity for German politicians to meet their opposite numbers from other countries on an equal footing, in the years just after the war when such opportunities were not easily to be had. But its most effective work has been as a forum for the exchange of ideas among people in the various parties and groups who are concerned with programme­ building and education; the back-room boys, so to speak, as apart from those making current political decisions.