Distributism

Distributism is a rather clumsy word for a decent system of politics. It derives from the ideas of the Catholic Church put by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical, Rerum Novarum, subtitled On Capital And Labour. Rerum told us that Capital should not oppress the working man, that Socialism was a reaction to Capital and a bad one. The third way which was not Labour or Conservative is Distributism. Perhaps the point is that we should all have an interest in creating things rather than destroying them. Socialism is driven by envy while capitalism is driven by greed. Distributism directs greed toward self-interest. People then have reasons for making things better. Capitalism makes the few rich. Socialism confiscates private property and makes everyone poor, apart from the few. In that it is like capitalism. Distributism was developed by Catholics like G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc.

Distributism As A Live Issue
There are people out there talking about it as realistic approach. Read for yourself. Think for yourself. Decide for yourself.

 

Distributism In Practice
American health care is in a bad way. A better way is at hand. An American explains.

 

Distributism ex Wiki
QUOTE
Distributism, also known as distributionism and distributivism, is a third-way economic philosophy formulated by such Roman Catholic thinkers as G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc to apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching articulated by the Roman Catholic Church, especially in Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Rerum Novarum and more expansively explained by Pope Pius XI's encyclical Quadragesimo Anno According to distributism, the ownership of the means of production should be spread as widely as possible among the general populace, rather than being centralized under the control of the state (socialism) or a few large businesses or wealthy private individuals (capitalism). A summary of distributism is found in Chesterton's statement: "Too much capitalism does not mean too many capitalists, but too few capitalists."

Essentially, distributism distinguishes itself by its distribution of property (not to be confused with redistribution of property carried out by socialism). Distributism holds that, while socialism allows no individuals to own productive property (it all being under state, community, or workers' control), and capitalism allows only a few to own it, distributism itself seeks to ensure that most people will become owners of productive property. As Hilaire Belloc stated, the distributive state (that is, the state which has implemented distributism) contains "an agglomeration of families of varying wealth, but by far the greater number of owners of the means of production." This broader distribution does not extend to all property, but only to productive property; that is, that property which produces wealth, namely, the things needed for man to survive. It includes land, tools, etc.

Distributism has often been described as a third way of economic order opposing both socialism and capitalism. However, some have seen it more as an aspiration, which has been successfully realised in the short term by commitment to the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity (these being built into financially independent local co-operatives and family owned, small businesses).
UNQUOTE
Before taking the Wiki as a source of truth too seriously have a look at Wikitruth in particular and the Wikipedia in general.

 

 Guilds
Distributism favours going back to the guilds that were very influential in the Middle Ages. There is much to commend the idea.

 

Mondragón Cooperative Corporation
Is Distributism in action or something very like it and established by a priest of Holy Mother Church.

 

Andrew Brons
Is the MEP for Northeast England who approves of Distributism. He was also a member of the British National Party which is hated by the left, a point in his favour.

 

Errors & omissions, broken links, cock ups, over-emphasis, malice [ real or imaginary ] or whatever; if you find any I am open to comment.


  
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Updated on 01/12/2019 21:30