Word: eurocommunist
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Western Europe's biggest Communist party (1.7 million members) thus served notice that it would continue to hew to Berlinguer's "Eurocommunist" line, polishing its democratic image and keeping Moscow at arm's length. Natta has supported Berlinguer's advocacy of what is known as the "historic compromise," the idea of a coalition government between Communists and Christian Democrats. He is considered practical rather than creative, professorial rather than charismatic. In opting for Natta the party passed up a number of candidates with a popular following, each of whom would have given his own stamp...
...always so. In the mid-1970s the P.C.F. went through a Eurocommunist phase of relative independence from Moscow and established strong links with the Socialist Party. But in 1977 the hardline, pro-Soviet doctrines of the past reasserted themselves and the alliance with the Socialists was scuttled. The new coalition, forged in the 1981 elections, has sharpened party divisions between old-line Stalinists and moderates...
...disaffection and disarray mark an important new phase for the Eurocommunist parties. In the mid-'70s, European Communists caused considerable concern in the Western Alliance by increasing their strength. Their tactic: backing social and economic reform while espousing democracy. But in recent years they began to lose some of their appeal. In 1979, Italy's P.C.I, won only 30.4% of the vote, down from its alltime peak of 34.4% in 1976. France's Communists saw their support drop from 20.6% in 1978 to 16.2% last year. Events in Poland have now created a crisis of conscience. Says...
...Eurocommunists may well try to increase their links with left-wing socialists. On such key issues as the deployment of the neutron bomb and U.S. intermediate-range missiles, the Eurocommunist position is already closely allied with those of Northern European pacifists. A more explicit alliance, says French Political Scientist Hassner, could give a boost to what he calls "Euroneutralism." Says Hassner: "It is true that the Eurocommunists are not on the Soviet side, but they are not on the NATO side either." By any other name, and in any other form, the Eurocommunists would still cause concern in the capitals...