Page "Christian Democracy (Italy)" Paragraph 16

In economics the DC preferred competition to cooperation, supported the model of social market economy and rejected the Marxist's idea of class struggle.

The party thus advocated collaboration between social classes and was basically a catch-all party which aimed to represent all Italian Catholics, both right-wing and left-wing, under the principle of the " political unity of Catholics " against socialism and communism.

It ultimately represented the majority of Italians who were opposed to the Italian Communist Party.

The party was however originally equidistant between the Communists and the hard right represented by the Italian Social Movement.