Contents

1 Introduction

Distributism is an economic and social philosophy that advocates for the widespread distribution of productive property, such as land and capital, as a means of promoting economic justice and self-sufficiency. The principles of distributism inform a range of policies that aim to create a more equitable and sustainable society. This page provides an overview of the key policies of distributism as advocated by the Global Distributist Party.

2 Land Redistribution

Land redistribution is a central policy of distributism, aiming to ensure that land and resources are fairly distributed among the population. This promotes self-sufficiency and reduces wealth inequality. Land redistribution policies may include land reform initiatives, community land trusts, and the promotion of small-scale, sustainable agriculture.

3 Support for Small Businesses and Cooperatives

Distributism emphasizes the importance of locally-owned businesses and cooperatives in fostering strong, self-reliant communities. Policies that support small businesses and cooperatives may include financial incentives, preferential procurement policies, and the establishment of cooperative banks to provide affordable credit to small enterprises.

4 Decentralization of Political Power

Distributism advocates for the decentralization of political power, empowering local communities to make decisions about their own governance. This fosters a sense of civic responsibility and engagement. Policies that promote decentralization may include the devolution of political authority to local governments, support for participatory democracy initiatives, and the encouragement of community-based governance structures.

5 Environmental Stewardship

Distributism emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship and the responsible use of natural resources. Policies that promote environmental sustainability include support for renewable energy, the development of eco-friendly technologies, and the protection of natural habitats and biodiversity.

6 Promotion of Family and Community Values

Distributism is committed to strengthening the social fabric by supporting policies that promote strong families and tight-knit communities. These policies may include support for affordable housing, accessible childcare, and the promotion of community-centered initiatives that foster social cohesion and mutual support.

7 Policy Documents

• Global Distributist Principles and Objectives (Approved 2023-04-04)
• Global Distributist Charter (Approved 2023-04-04)
• Global Distributist Platform (Draft)
• Code of Conduct (Draft)
• Draft Land Distribution Act (Draft)

8 Policy FAQ

8.1 Justice and Rule of Law

Distributism is an economic and social philosophy focused on widespread ownership of productive property, localism, and subsidiarity. While it does not inherently prescribe specific stances on justice and rule of law, some Distributist principles can offer insights into how Distributists might approach these concepts.

• Subsidiarity: Distributism emphasizes decision-making at the most local level possible. This principle could be applied to justice and rule of law by advocating for more localized legal systems and decision-making processes. Distributists might support the idea that local communities should have greater control over creating and enforcing laws that reflect their unique values and needs, with higher levels of authority intervening only when necessary.
• Localism: Distributism values strong local communities and economies. In terms of justice and rule of law, this could mean Distributists support legal systems that prioritize the needs and values of local communities, rather than imposing a uniform set of laws across diverse regions.
• Common good and social justice: Distributism often draws inspiration from Catholic social teaching, which emphasizes the importance of the common good and social justice. Distributists might advocate for legal systems that prioritize the well-being of all members of society, particularly the most vulnerable. This could include laws that protect workers, families, and the environment, and promote economic and social justice.
• Cooperation and solidarity: Distributism encourages cooperation and solidarity among individuals, families, and communities. Distributists might support legal systems that foster a sense of shared responsibility and promote collaboration between various stakeholders, rather than relying solely on punitive measures.
• Restorative justice: In line with the focus on community and family, Distributists may be more inclined to support restorative justice approaches, which aim to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.

In summary, while Distributism does not prescribe specific stances on justice and rule of law, its principles can inform approaches to these concepts. Distributists might emphasize subsidiarity, localism, the common good, social justice, cooperation, and restorative justice when considering matters of justice and rule of law.

8.2 Criminal Justice

Distributism is an economic and social philosophy that emphasizes widespread ownership of productive property, localism, and subsidiarity. While it does not inherently prescribe specific approaches to punishment or criminal justice, we can explore how some Distributist principles might influence an approach to punishment, considering the impact of unmet needs on criminal behavior and the role of rehabilitation and education in addressing these issues.

• Understanding the root causes of crime: Distributists recognize that many criminal behaviors can stem from people’s inability to meet their basic needs. Poverty, lack of access to resources, and economic inequality can contribute to crime rates. A Distributist approach to punishment would likely prioritize addressing these underlying issues by promoting widespread ownership of productive property and ensuring that individuals have the means to support themselves and their families.
• Rehabilitation and education: Distributists emphasize the importance of rehabilitation and education to help offenders reintegrate into society. This approach would focus on providing resources and opportunities for individuals to become productive members of their communities. For example, helping people acquire land to meet their needs and teaching them the necessary skills to cultivate it would be a key component of rehabilitation. By empowering individuals through access to land and resources, they would be less likely to engage in criminal behavior in the future.
• Restorative justice: In line with the focus on community and family, Distributists may advocate for restorative justice approaches that aim to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community. This approach would prioritize healing relationships, supporting victims, and helping offenders develop the skills and resources needed to reintegrate into society and avoid future criminal behavior.
• Subsidiarity and localism: A Distributist approach to punishment might involve local communities and regional governments having more control over determining appropriate punishments for crimes, rather than relying solely on a centralized, national authority. Localism would also encourage communities to develop tailored strategies to address the unique needs and challenges of their populations, including efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic self-sufficiency.

By understanding the root causes of crime and addressing them through rehabilitation, education, and access to resources, a Distributist approach to punishment would aim to create a more just and equitable society. This would involve supporting individuals in meeting their basic needs through access to land and skills training, as well as promoting restorative justice, local decision-making, and community-focused solutions to address the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behavior.

8.3 Military

8.3.1 Distributist Military or Defense

Distributist principles can extend to various aspects of society, including military and defense. While distributism primarily focuses on economic and social systems, the underlying theme of decentralization and localism can also apply to defense strategies. Here are some examples of distributist approaches to military and defense:

• Widespread gun ownership: In a distributist society, the responsibility for defense can be shared among citizens through widespread gun ownership. By allowing individuals to possess firearms for self-defense and community protection, power is decentralized and not solely reliant on a centralized military force. This approach aligns with distributist values by promoting self-reliance and community cooperation. Countries such as Switzerland and the United States, with their high levels of gun ownership and established militia systems, can be seen as examples of this principle.
• Local militia or community defense forces: Distributist defense strategies could also involve the organization of local militias or community defense forces. These groups, made up of volunteers from the community, would receive training in self-defense and protection tactics. They would be responsible for maintaining security and order within their communities, reducing reliance on a centralized military or police force. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and empowerment among community members and aligns with the distributist principle of subsidiarity, which emphasizes that decision-making and responsibilities should be handled at the lowest possible level.
• Decentralized military command structure: A distributist approach to military organization could involve a decentralized command structure, with regional and local military units operating autonomously under a broader national framework. This structure would enable local units to respond quickly and effectively to threats in their areas, while still maintaining coordination with the larger military force. This approach could increase flexibility, responsiveness, and community engagement in defense matters.
• Civilian involvement in defense planning: Distributist defense policies could also promote active civilian involvement in defense planning and decision-making. This could include community input on defense priorities, the organization of local defense forces, and the development of emergency response plans. By engaging citizens in these processes, a distributist approach to defense can foster a sense of ownership, responsibility, and empowerment among the population.
• Focus on non-aggressive defense strategies: In line with distributist principles that prioritize localism, cooperation, and sustainability, a distributist approach to defense might emphasize non-aggressive defense strategies. This could include a focus on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and the development of mutually beneficial relationships with neighboring nations. By prioritizing peaceful means of resolving conflicts, a distributist approach to defense can contribute to global stability and security.

In summary, distributist approaches to military and defense can encompass various strategies, such as widespread gun ownership, local militia organization, decentralized military command structures, civilian involvement in defense planning, and an emphasis on non-aggressive defense strategies. These approaches align with distributist principles by promoting decentralization, localism, and community empowerment.

The Distributist perspective on the "just war" stance emphasizes the importance of subsidiarity, localism, and self-sufficiency, advocating for military engagement only when it aligns with moral principles and supports the well-being of local communities.

8.3.2 Is there such a thing as a "Just War"?

It is difficult to pinpoint specific wars that perfectly align with Distributist values, as Distributism is an economic and social ideology rather than a theory of warfare. However, some historical conflicts could be seen as closer to the Distributist perspective on just war, especially those which involve defending the rights of smaller, local communities and promoting self-sufficiency:

The Swiss struggle for independence (1291-1353): This series of conflicts involved Swiss cantons fighting against the control of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburgs, ultimately leading to the formation of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The Swiss fought for their autonomy, localism, and self-sufficiency, which resonate with Distributist principles.

The Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War (1409-1411): This conflict saw the Teutonic Knights, who sought to convert and subjugate the pagan Lithuanians, challenged by the joint Polish-Lithuanian forces. The Polish-Lithuanian victory defended the rights of local communities and allowed them to maintain their cultural and religious identity.

The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783): The American colonies fought for their independence from British rule, which could be seen as a struggle for self-sufficiency, local governance, and the protection of local communities – all in line with Distributist values.

It is essential to note that these examples are not perfect representations of Distributist just war principles, but they do showcase aspects that resonate with the ideology.

8.4 Abortion

While Distributism does not have an inherent stance on abortion, we can extrapolate a potential approach to implementing abortion policy based on the principles of Distributism. Key elements of Distributism include subsidiarity, localism, and the importance of family and community. Keeping these principles in mind, a Distributist approach to abortion policy might involve the following:

• Subsidiarity: Distributism emphasizes that decision-making should occur at the most local level possible, with higher levels of authority stepping in only when necessary. Consequently, a Distributist approach to abortion policy might advocate for local or regional governments to set their own policies, rather than having a one-size-fits-all policy at the national level.
• Localism: Distributists prioritize local economies, communities, and decision-making. As a result, they might advocate for local communities to have greater input in determining abortion policies that reflect the unique values and beliefs of the community.
• Family and community focus: Distributism places great emphasis on the importance of family and community. In crafting abortion policy, a Distributist approach might focus on providing resources and support for families, such as education, healthcare, and economic assistance, to help reduce the circumstances that may lead to a decision to seek an abortion.
• Emphasis on alternatives: Distributists may promote alternatives to abortion, such as adoption or support services for pregnant women and families, in order to encourage a culture of life and family.
• Consistency with moral and religious beliefs: Many Distributists are inspired by Catholic social teaching, which opposes abortion. As a result, a Distributist approach might seek to implement policies that are in line with these moral and religious convictions, while still respecting the principles of localism and subsidiarity.

It is essential to note that while this analysis outlines a potential Distributist approach to implementing abortion policy, individual Distributists may have different perspectives on the issue based on their personal beliefs, values, and religious affiliations. As Distributism is primarily an economic and social philosophy, there is no inherent stance on abortion within the philosophy itself.

Nevertheless, by emphasizing localism, subsidiarity, and a focus on family and community, a Distributist approach to abortion policy would likely prioritize policies that address the root causes of abortion, provide support for families, and respect the moral and religious convictions of the community. This approach would encourage local and regional autonomy in shaping policies that best suit the needs and values of each community, while also fostering a culture that values life and family.