Christianity is neither the sole root of democracy nor so inherently undemocratic that it could never be reconciled with modern democracy, as Catholicism at the beginning of the 20th century suggested. The biblical emphasis on equality has given Christianity a democratic impulse that has increasingly driven democratic developments throughout history. However, this first occurred on the left wing of the Reformation and influenced the development of democracy in the Anglo-Saxon world, while – as the example of Austria shows – the Catholic Church still struggled with democracy in the state in the 20th century. This only changed after the Second World War with Pope Pius XII and, above all, with the Second Vatican Council. However, the extent to which the Catholic Church embraces democracy remains controversial up to this day. In the face of populist aberrations and increasing social polarization, the socio-cultural prerequisites of democracy are now moving more strongly into the centre of socio-ethical reflection. Fraternity (brotherhood) is one of the most important prerequisites in this context. It is often neglected alongside equality and freedom, but it is indispensable for democracy if all politically nec-essary democratic debates are to be kept within the framework of mutual respect and mutual esteem.