What Is a Pedecista? – Folha de S. Paulo, July 19, 1970

by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

[Pedecista is a follower of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and movement, also known as Pedecism.]

Is Christian democracy still worth discussing, given that there is less talk about it and more focus on progressivism? At first glance, it might not seem so.

However, after careful consideration, it remains clear that the issue is still relevant.

First and foremost, although the Brazilian Christian-Democratic Party (PDC) has merged into the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), where it now plays a diminished and restricted left-wing role, Christian democracy continues to thrive in other countries such as Italy, Chile, and Venezuela. Therefore, anyone trying to stay informed about the international political scene needs a clear understanding of something as diverse and elusive as Pedecism.

Secondly—and this is more relevant to Brazil—although Pedecism has lost nearly all of its political importance among us, it still wields a significant influence on what we might call the internal life of the progressivist movement, which undeniably plays a major role in our scenario.

Under these conditions, before examining the Christian Democratic mentality, let us analyze the role of Pedecism as one of the key groups within the progressive movement.

Progressivism cannot be regarded as a significant electoral force among us. If it fielded typical candidates under its own banner, it would only secure a few votes here and there. This is because the four forces progressivists rely on are facing increasing erosion in Brazilian public opinion.

The first of these forces is a specific type of journalist found in nearly all the daily press, who always looks for opportunities to depict a bleak picture of the Western world and suggest that salvation comes from the wisdom, common sense, and love of work promoted by leftist and “hippie” movements. This journalistic chatter is wearing everyone out. More and more readers are realizing how wildly exaggerated these fears are and how entirely unfounded these hopes are.

The other source of support for progressivism is the so-called advanced “intelligentsia.” It includes writers and artists who are loudly praised by the journalists I just mentioned. However, in bookstores, the works of these writers often take time to sell. And at auctions, the works of these artists (let’s call them that) only attract buyers among small circles of insiders whose purchasing power is less than their tireless authors’ abundant output. This support has no electoral influence.

The third sector comprises “arditi” or hotheads: hardcore progressives like “hippies,” labor or student agitators, kidnappers, and others. Progressive journalism often amplifies these groups when possible. However, they usually attract only small, insignificant crowds when they go public.

The fourth force—the most influential in shaping people’s opinions—is the progressive clergy. Years ago, before progressivism spread throughout the clergy, it was the nation’s greatest moral authority. As it becomes more progressive, people are distancing themselves from it (and not from religion, mind you). Therefore, the more progressive a priest or nun becomes, the fewer followers they have. The most advanced among them are supported only by a small group of fanatics.

The secret of true influence in progressivism isn’t in numbers. Its influence lies elsewhere. Progressivism matters to Brazilians less as a current reality than as a hypothesis. Let me explain.

* * *

Everyone sees that today’s society is inherently contradictory, mixing Christian traditions passed down for centuries with urges to create a new kind of paganism. Any system with contradictions either finds coherence or falls apart, like a sick organism that either heals or dies. So, if we choose between the conflicting parts of our world’s “status quo,” one path is total paganization, which would completely break from the past. The other path is to repair the broken threads of tradition, leading to a future grounded in Christian values.

Thus, progressivism is a logical hypothesis about this critical choice. Logical, indeed, despite all the flaws of extreme errors. When many focus on moments when progressivists erupt loudly, criticize, or stir up trouble, they do so not only because of the extensive propaganda supporting progressivism but mainly because they feel the need to examine themselves. The truth is that, although there are few progressives, many people have fibers, germs, or tendencies of progressivism inside. As they observe progressivism closely, they ask themselves: What kind of soul will I take on? What lifestyle will I choose? What kind of world will we create if I, my family, neighbors, and everyone else give in to the inner tendencies that lead to progressivism?

Interestingly, the same phenomenon explains why the TFP is so relevant. Many people wonder: if I block the influences that pull me toward the left and instead embrace the influences of tradition’s fibers, germs, or ferments within me; if I, my family, my neighbors, and the entire world choose progress that aligns with tradition, what kind of moral outlook will we have, what lifestyle will we adopt, and what kind of world will we create? The TFP is the complete opposite of progressivism and reflects it. It consistently rejects everything progressivists accept and denies everything they affirm.

* * *

Between these two conflicting coherences lie the N-L-N-F, the faded group of those who avoid facing the choice directly and stubbornly try to keep incompatible theses together. They attempt to sustain this fragile situation by stubbornly ignoring the urgency of a decision that history demands.

How do leftist forces try to sway this “mare magnum” of undecided voters to their side? This is where the role of the Christian Democrat appears, much like that of the “toad,” his Siamese twin, doppelganger and ally.

But the subject has gone too far for today. After this introduction, in the next article, we will describe the Pedecista, his temperament, ideas, and role in advancing progressivism.