The term 'Distributism' was coined in order to facilitate an assessment of whether or not any sort of economic system is working according to Catholic morality. If real property and the means of production are widely owned (distributed) among the population and the majority of men are economically independent and are not dependent upon either the State, large Capitalist concerns, a minimum wage, or other men for their daily bread and the means of providing the necessities of life for themselves and their families, then, you have Distributism.
In short, Distributism is a way of life based upon the Gospels and the principles of morality. It is so much more than a mere economic system.
Distributism is not something that is to be enacted by any State or political entity, although they can and must do what is possible to facilitate its accomplishment. Distributism is a way of living and this way of living must be protected and nourished by society and its organs, i.e. families, societies, and governments. The responsibility therefore lies primarily with families to begin to live the distributist way of life. Distributism is the living out of the Gospel in our daily lives and it will bring in its wake, peace, joy, and true freedom such as can be found only among the subjects of Christ the King.
Father Lawrence Smith explains it all so well in Distributism for Dorothy: The Economy of Salvation and Other Exhortations to Dethrone the Great God Mammon".
No comments:
Post a Comment