Catholic Social Movement

The Catholic Social Movement (Spanish: Movimiento Social Católico, abbr. MSC) was a Mejican social and political movement that emerged in the late 19th century as a reaction to the negative social impacts of rapid industrialization under the presidency of Miguel Miramón. Rooted in Laborist thought and Catholic social teaching, the movement was spearheaded by intellectuals such as Ernesto Valverde, Filiberto Labrada, Fermín Santalolalla, Enrique Gurrola, and Quirino Díaz Galindo. These thinkers sought to mitigate the marginalization of workers, farmers, and the destitute, and to address the crisis of inequality exacerbated by industrial expansion.

The MSC was founded on a philosophy called Integralism, as articulated by Valverde. It held that the state should play a leading role in ensuring economic development while upholding the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good. Integralism's vision for Mejico was a socio-economic transformation where the state actively worked to reduce socio-economic disparities, foster cooperation between classes, and advocate for collective well-being over individual gain.

The movement heavily impacted the administration of President Miguel Miramón and, despite initial difficulties, managed to slightly influence the successive administrations during the Liberal Trentennium. Mejican Integralist intellectuals were for the most part responsible for swaying Francisco I. Madero, who launched a revolt against the Porfirist system, and his ideas bore some resemblance to Integralist concepts, particularly in promoting social justice and political change. Madero's commitment to democratic ideals and social reforms echoed the ideological underpinnings of the CSM, albeit through a more secular and liberal lens.

The influence of Integralist thought saw a marked decline with the onset of the Mejican Civil War and faced severe suppression during the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles. Calles' staunchly secularist policies, which included the enacting of laws to limit the power of the Catholic Church and religious organizations, brought him into direct conflict with the Church and the adherents of Integralism. This culminated in the Cristero War, a widespread religious uprising in defense of Catholic rights. However, the ascent of José Vasconcelos to power brought a dramatic shift. Recognized as a cultural luminary and intellectual, Vasconcelos absorbed multiple streams of thought, blending nationalism, spiritual considerations, and a search for Mejico's unique identity. While not synonymous with Integralism, his government was characterized by a renewed openness to the Church's role in society following the vehemently anticlerical phase under Calles.

Vasconcelos' regime, though dictatorial, embarked on significant cultural, educational, and infrastructural reforms that sought to reconcile modernization with Mejican traditions and values, including some which were sympathetic to those upheld by the CSM. His successor, the Synarchist Salvador Abascal, who governed between 1959 and 1970, further cemented this reconciliation. Abascal's time in office represented a period of increased collaboration between the State and the Church. His Synarchist movement, while distinct from Integralism, shared the belief in incorporating religious values into national politics and the promotion of social programs rooted in Catholic social teaching.

Integralism and the ideas of the CSM remain particularly popular among the adherents of the National Action Party, which currently governs Mejico under President Gabriel Quadri. Its principles of distributism and subsidiarity have influenced the party's platform and policies, advocating for a balanced economy that supports both free enterprise and social welfare within a framework of ethical and religious values. This modern interpretation of Integralist thought places a strong emphasis on the family unit, community development, and support for small and medium-sized businesses as essential elements of a healthy society.