Overview

This book presents an innovative exploration of the rise of political forces that have coalesced around the anti-gender movement, shaping strategies that advocate novel intersections of religion, politicization of gender and sexuality, and radical and populist rejuvenation of conservative ideologies. Through an extensive examination of activist discourses and mobilizations, the author offers a comprehensive political analysis of anti-gender mobilization, encompassing a multidimensional examination of religious, activist, and political opportunity structures. This study unveils three distinct facets characterizing these emerging (Catholic) movements: their relative autonomy from the Church (extra-ecclesiastical), their divergence from conventional religious frameworks (extra-Catholic), and their party-political alignment within the far-right area. The author proposes a new perspective on this burgeoning Catholic cause, contextualizing it within the transnational dynamics underscored by the existing literature. Particularly noteworthy is the scrutiny of internal reshaping within the Italian political Catholicism realm between the 1990s and the 2000s set against the backdrop of the dissolution of the Christian Democratic Party. Through the lens of the Italian landscape, this study extends its analysis to offer broader insights into the contemporary political uses of religion within democracies, along with contentious issues arising from gender and sexuality debates, transcending the confines of the Italian context. This book holds significant relevance for scholars and students engaged in gender studies, religious studies, social movements, populism, political science, political sociology, political history, and Italian studies.

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9781032513157

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Reviews

"“In this brilliant, timely, and accurately documented book, Massimo Prearo introduces readers in the meanders of Italy’s anti-gender movement, unveiling the intense ties forged between far-right populist parties and anti-gender political leaders from the movement at different levels of government who become entrepreneurs of the cause against gender equality and LGBT rights. The compelling argument of a leading authority in the field is that this neo-Catholic movement, while having ecclesiastical connections, develops a secularised mobilization discourse that allows anti-gender actors to occupy a broader discursive space. A must-read for scholars in political science, sociology, and gender studies!” Emanuela Lombardo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain “Italy is an essential case study to understand anti-gender campaigns. Home to the Roman Catholic Church, it has seen the development of a vibrant social movement, and rising interest from political and state actors. Massimo Prearo's book is definitely a must-read. It offers a careful investigation into the dynamics within catholic communities mobilized against ""gender ideology"" in Italy and brings key insights into the complex relations between religion and politics within social movements today.” David Paternotte, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium ""Groundbreaking research and an innovative thesis... Definitely, Massimo Prearo's book sets the start of a new stage in the research on populism, anti-gender movements, and religion."" Luca Ozzano, University of Turin, Italy"

Author Information

Massimo Prearo is Assistant Professor in Political Science, and scientific coordinator of the research center PoliTeSse – Politics and Theories of Sexuality – at the University of Verona, Italy. He has specialized in the study of LGBTIQ+ mobilizations and politics.

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