Distributism

Distributism is an economic theory that says productive resources should be owned by many people, not just a few. It was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is based on Catholic social teaching, especially from Pope Leo XIII's Rerum novarum (1891) and Pope Pius XI's Quadragesimo anno (1931).Coulter, Michael (2007). Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought, Social Science and Social Policy. Scarecrow Press. p. 85. McConkey, Dale; Lawler, Peter (2003). Faith, Morality, and Civil Society. Lexington Books. p. 50. Allitt, Patrick (2000). Catholic Converts. Cornell University Press. p. 206.  

It influenced Christian Democratic movements in English-speaking countries, and shaped ideas behind the social market economy.

Distributism sees both laissez-faire capitalism and state socialism as harmful because both concentrate ownership too much. It supports small independent producers, cooperatives, mutual organisations, small businesses, and anti-trust laws to limit large powers. Some Christian democratic parties, like the American Solidarity Party, include distributist principles in their policies.

 Overview 
Distributists believe the right to property is basic,Shiach, Morag (2004). Modernism, Labour and Selfhood in British Literature and Culture, 1890–1930. Cambridge University Press. p. 224.  and means of production should be spread widely, not controlled by the state, a few people, or big corporations. This creates a society where property ownership is common.Zwick, Mark and Louise (2004). The Catholic Worker Movement. Paulist Press. p. 156. 

Distributism opposes both capitalism and socialism.Boyle, David; Simms, Andrew (2009). The New Economics. Routledge. p. 20. Novak, Michael; Younkins, Edward W. (2001). Three in One. Rowman and Littlefield. p. 152. Prentiss, Craig R. (2008). Debating God's Economy. Penn State University Press. p. 77.  Some say capitalism eventually becomes state-controlled anyway.  Thomas Storck wrote that distributism focuses on human and spiritual life, unlike socialism or capitalism.Storck, Thomas. Beyond Capitalism & Socialism. IHS Press, 2008. p. 75 Figures like Dorothy Day drew on Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's mutualism.McKay, Iain. An Anarchist FAQ Volume One. AK Press, 2007. p. 75 Some followers practiced a libertarian socialist version, opposing state control.McKay, Iain. An Anarchist FAQ Volume One. AK Press, 2007. p. 23

Historically, distributism has been more an ideal than a fully implemented system. It emphasizes subsidiarity and solidarity via local cooperatives and small businesses. G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc were key early advocates.Fitzgerald, Ross et al. (2003). The Pope's Battalions. University of Queensland Press. p. 21. Riff, Michael A. (1990). Dictionary of Modern Political Ideologies. Manchester University Press. p. 35. 

 Background 
In the late 19th century, political Catholicism grew in Europe.Adams, Ian (1993). Political Ideology Today. Manchester University Press. pp. 59–60.  These movements opposed secularism, capitalism, and socialism. In 1891, Pope Leo XIII's Rerum novarum defended workers' rights to property, safe conditions, fair wages, and unions, and rejected state ownership as a way to help the poor.Leo XIII, Rerum novarum, 3,6,42-49.

Early 20th-century authors G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc shaped distributism as a theory promoting small businesses, cooperatives, and widespread property. They wrote essays and books like The Servile StateHilaire Belloc, The Servile State, 1913. and Outline of Sanity.G. K. Chesterton, The Outline of Sanity, 1927.

 Economic theory 
 Private property 
Distributists believe that people work better when they own property. Pope Leo XIII wrote that property allows families to thrive.Pope Leo XIII, Rerum novarum, 8, 47, 1891 G. K. Chesterton also said property lets people express themselves within limits.Chesterton, What's Wrong with the World (1920), p. 59. Belloc added that productive property, like land and tools, should be widely owned, though public goods remain acceptable.Hilaire Belloc, The Servile State, 1913.

 Redistribution of wealth 
Distributism spreads productive assets to many people, not just a few or the state. This can include direct distribution, taxation of large holdings, or support for small businesses.

 Guild system 
Distributists support reviving guilds to ensure fair work standards and ethical business conduct.

 Banks 
They favor mutual and cooperative banks, like credit unions, instead of large private banks.

 Social theory 
 Human family 
Distributists see family and home as central to society. Owning property helps families thrive.

 Subsidiarity 
No larger group should do work a smaller group can do. Pope Pius XI described this in Quadragesimo anno.Pope Pius XI, Quadragesimo anno, 1931.

 Social security 
Distributists support social safety nets, such as fair student aid and support for vulnerable people.

 Politics 
Distributism fits various political systems but focuses on widespread ownership of productive property. Chesterton and Belloc promoted traditional, agrarian values but adapted their ideas to the political context.

In the U.S., the American Solidarity Party follows distributist principles. Similar parties existed in the UK, Brazil, and Australia. In 2024, Romanian candidate Călin Georgescu supported distributist ideas.

 Influence 
Distributism influenced economist E. F. SchumacherOpdebeeck, Hendrik, ed. Frontiers of Business Ethics, 2013. p. 12. and organizations like the Mondragon CorporationMathews, Race. Jobs of Our Own. Fernwood Publishing. 1999. and the Guild of St Joseph and St Dominic.

 Current distributist parties 
 Australia – Democratic Labour Party
 Romania – Pirate Party Romania
 United States – American Solidarity Party
 Mexico - Nationalist Front of Mexico

 Historical distributist parties 
 UK – Distributist League (1926–1940), Third Way (1990–2006)
 Brazil – Humanist Party of Solidarity (1995–2019)

 Notable distributists 
 Hilaire Belloc, G. K. Chesterton, Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin, Vincent McNabb, Arthur Penty

 Key texts 
 Rerum novarum (1891), Pope Leo XIII
 Quadragesimo anno (1931), Pope Pius XI
 The Servile State (1913), Hilaire Belloc
 What's Wrong with the World (1910), G. K. Chesterton

 References 

 External links 
 The Distributist Review

Category:Distributism
Category:Anti-capitalism
Category:Economic ideologies
Category:Mixed economies
Category:Political theories
Category:Pope Leo XIII
Category:Power sharing
Category:Social justice
Category:Syncretic political movements