Christian democratic parties are those
political parties that seek to apply Christian principles to public policy. The underlying
Christian democracy movement emerged in 19th-century Europe, largely under the influence of
Catholic social teaching, and it continues to be influential in Europe and Latin America, though in a number of countries its Christian ethos has been diluted by
secularisation. In practice, Christian democracy often advocates
centre-right positions on cultural, social, and moral issues and
Social market economic policies. In Europe, where their opponents have traditionally been secularist socialists, Christian democratic parties are moderately
conservative overall, whereas in the very different cultural and political environment of Latin America they tend to lean to the
left. It is the dominant political movement in Europe.