There has long been a false dichotomy in economics – choose either capitalism or socialism. Some have suggested mixing the two, forming a mixed economy – but the same fundamental problems with each have lingered in it. In capitalism, capital and labor are separated – meaning the owners of capital exploit laborers. In socialism, government takes over the economy, and families and workers become dependent upon and subservient to the government. Socialism also attempts to instill a rigid equality among all people – something only possible with a hierarchy capable of enforcing it, defeating its entire purpose. Perhaps worse, both capitalism and socialism focus us on solely material objectives – causing us to forgo or at least to put second our faith, our families, our hobbies, and the search for beauty in the world. They have twisted us into believing that life is nothing more than chasing after material possessions – which are nothing more than meaningless objects and a chase after the wind.
There is, however, another way – distributism. Distributism is a belief in the widespread ownership of wealth production – rather than it being accumulated in the hands of a few capitalists or the hands of a government and its bureaucrats. This means the abolition of big corporations and the support of small family owned businesses. This means that every man should own his own source of wealth production instead of getting all of his wealth by working on the property of the rich or the factories of the state – every man should have the means to support his own family. Every farmer should own his own land and machinery, every plumber his own tools and truck, and every software developer should own his own office and computer. No longer will the people be the slaves of big businesses and no longer will workers be deprived of their right to own their own property. Property should be democratized and widespread, not abolished or horded. Production should be as localized as possible, but for industries which require large-scale production, worker-owned cooperatives and employee-owned stock companies should be utilized. By creating an ownership economy, people can begin to re-integrate their faith, work, family, and education – rather than separating and compartmentalizing them as in capitalism and socialism. This means a society of artisans and local businesses with a rich culture, engrained family values, and joyful people.
Distributism also calls for the replacing many institutions with new ones. For instance, because labor unions are built along class lines and cause inter-class strife, we support a guild system, which allows employers and employees to work together and promotes growth and technological advancement. Because banks make money by usury and without any labor, we support credit unions, which provide a much better alternative because they promote community growth and are a truly democratic institution. At the same time, credit unions do not form a social class of non-producers who make money by gambling on the stock market unlike banks. Because universities extort exorbitant prices to give mediocre education – they ought to be reformed and reserved for the pursuit of knowledge not the pursuit of skills. All technical skills should be taught through apprenticeship systems which give a better education at a fraction of the cost and build communities, relationships, and connections.
Distributism believes that the family is the foundation of social order. We believe that every man should have a family to support and be supported by. We believe that every human has the right to life no matter how unwanted they are – whether rich or poor, old or young, unborn or ill. We believe in freedom of religion and the cooperation of church and state – recognizing that the right praise of God is key to a just society and fulfilling lives, and that St. Irenaeus had it right when he said “the glory of God is a human being fully alive”, but also recognizing that every man deserves to worship and adore God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
We believe it is the duty of the local community to support the poor. The federal government can only help the poor in a non-personal, inefficient, and unfair way. States should establish public health systems and basic minimum incomes. Localities should fight obesity and traffic congestion, and they should run the orphanages and prisons. Families should instill values – the object good – and spend time together forming each other’s personalities. We hold to the ideals of subsidiarity – that the lowest level of government or society capable of solving a problem should – and solidarity – that we should all care for each other and mutually support one another.
We acknowledge that people are mostly good. Thus, the government should promote morality in a way that allows it to naturally flourish and build a strong society. It should not be laws that inform us what is right and wrong but our consciences reflecting on objective moral truths. This is not to say that the laws should not also reflect these moral truths, but rather that well-formed consciences are better than well-formed laws in guiding the right actions of a person and of a society. It is the joy of the human person to reflect their Creator in their capabilities for wisdom and for love – and to use these traits, which are most perfected by moral lives, to be good stewards of creation and brothers to each other.