TheNational Falange[1][4][5](Spanish:Falange Nacional,FN) was a Chilean Christian political party that existed between 1935 and 1957. It was the basis of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC); still it is customary to use the expressions "Falange" and "Falangista" to refer to members and activities of the Christian Democrats and the same party, respectively.[citation needed]
National Falange Falange Nacional | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 13 October 1935 |
| Dissolved | 28 July 1957 |
| Split from | Conservative Party |
| Merged into | Christian Democratic Party |
| Headquarters | Santiago de Chile |
| Ideology | Catholic social teaching[1][2] Progressive Christianity[3] |
| Political position | Centre |
History
editIn 1935 a group of younger social-Christians split from theConservative Partyto form the National Falange. Despite its name this group was largely made up ofprogressiveandreformist[6]Catholics, and bore little resemblance to SpanishFalangism.In its early years it imitated elements of fascist movements with some of its members wearing uniforms and undergoing paramilitary training.[7]With its progressive economic program (creating an alternative to capitalism, "redeeming" theproletariat) it was in open conflict with the Catholic high clergy[8]who accused it of disrespecting the Church's leadership and siding with communists.[9]Despite its aim to be a centrist alternative to the left and the right, and relatively great public attention, it never received more than 4 percent of the votes.[8]Later it supported the administration ofJuan Antonio Ríos(1942–46) and in 1957 merged with theSocial Christian Conservative Partyinto theChristian Democratic Party.[10]One of its former members,Eduardo Frei Montalva,became President of Chile in 1964. Other notable members includeRadomiro TomicandBernardo Leighton.[3]
Presidential candidates
editThe following is a list of the presidential candidates supported by the National Falange. (Information gathered from theArchive of Chilean Elections).
- 1942:Juan Antonio Ríos(won)
- 1946:Eduardo Cruz-Coke(lost)
- 1952:Pedro Alfonso (lost)
References
edit- ^abHawkins, Kirk A. (2003).Sowing Ideas: Explaining the Origins of Christian Democratic Parties in Latin America.Stanford University Press. p. 103.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^Hartlyn, Jonathan; Valenzuela, Arturo.Democracy in Latin America since 1930.The Cambridge History of Latin America. p. 124.
- ^abEnsalaco, Mark (2000).Chile Under Pinochet: Recovering the Truth.University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 13.
- ^Rector, John L. (2003).The History of Chile.Greenwood Press. p. 144.
- ^Luna, Juan Pablo; Monestier, Felipe; Rosenblatt, Fernando (2014).Religious parties in Chile: The Christian Democratic Party and the Independent Democratic Union.Routledge. p. 122.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^Smith, Brian H. (1982).The Church and Politics in Chile: Challenges to Modern Catholicism.Princeton University Press. p. 95.
- ^Fleet, Michael (1985).The Rise and Fall of Chilean Christian Democracy.Princeton University Press. p. 47.
- ^abFleet, Michael (1985).The Rise and Fall of Chilean Christian Democracy.Princeton University Press. p. 48.
- ^Smith, Brian H. (1982).The Church and Politics in Chile: Challenges to Modern Catholicism.Princeton University Press. p. 97.
- ^A. Hennessy, 'Fascism and Populism in Latin America', W. Laqueur,Fascism: A Reader's Guide,Harmondsworth: Pelican, 1979, p. 288