Review article

Gaining Political Power by Utilizing Opportunity Structures: An Analysis of the Conservative Religious-Political Movement in Croatia

Antonija Petričušić orcid.org/0000-0002-9826-1174 ; Chair of Sociology, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb
Mateja Čehulić orcid.org/0000-0003-1918-7648 ; Chair of Sociology, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb
Dario Čepo orcid.org/0000-0003-1509-7020 ; Chair of Sociology, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb

Abstract

This paper explores a connection between religion and politics in Croatia by analyzing the conservative civic initiative “In the Name of the Family” (U ime obitelji). It is a part of a broader religious-political movement, which emerged over the course of the last decade, that is connected to other international conservative organizations and initiatives. They advocate for a decrease of secular influence on the family, oppose sexual and reproductive rights, and insist on the primacy of religious freedoms. The political nature of the movement manifests itself through multiple attempts to scrap the legislation and practices of both state and private institutions that are contradicting the value system of the Christian (Catholic) majority. The religious-political nexus of the movement is confirmed by its continuous involvement in policy-making, here manifested through the use of direct democracy institutes.

Keywords

Religious-Political Movement; Contentious Politics; Opportunity Structure; Referendum; Same-Sex Marriage

Hrčak ID:

190338

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/190338

Publication date:

8.12.2017.

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