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Beyond Capitalism & Socialism: A New Statement of an Old Ideal
Explaining the socio-economic theory of distributism, this anthology argues that political, economic, and social liberties and freedom are penalized under both socialism and capitalism. With distributism—and other "third way" alternatives to capitalism—the human person, the family, and the community take precedence over bureaucrats and barons. Society exists for man, not the other way around.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 20, 2011
Ever had an experience where a variety of separate elements collided and combined to form something spectacular? You know - the perfect day, the perfect meal, the perfect date.
That's what this book did for me. Sparks were flying through my brain so fast I thought it would erupt. Epiphanies rained down with every page like manna from heaven.
The book combines and concentrates tons of different elements I've been studying and have believed in for years into a coherent and absolutely revolutionary political economic theory - called (and perhaps unfortunately so) "Distributism" -- including:
-New Urbanism & Agricultural Urbanism
-Georgics & Generational Thinking
-Sustainable Agriculture & Locavorism Versus Industrial Food Production & Processing
-Family, Localism & Community Versus Nationalism & Industrialization
-Free Enterprise versus Capitalism
-Production Versus Consumption
-Entrepreneurship Versus Employeeship
-Aristocracy Versus Democratic Republican/Federalist Freedom
-Environmental stewardship
-Historical cycles and the traditional decay of family, community, and morality
-Monetary policy & the dangers of usury
-Creativity & beauty
-Educational specialization versus broad and deep liberal arts
I could go on and on...
I officially and proudly adhere to the Distributist philosophy, which advocates "...a society based on small self-sufficient regions, empowered communities, vibrant neighborhoods, gainfully employed families, individual self-satisfactions, decentralized politics, local economies, sustainable organic agriculture, cooperative work, environmental humility, and careful nurturing of the earth."
If you're deeply entrenched in "right versus left" ideology, this book will frustrate you.
But if you're an open, independent, dialectic thinker, it's like taking the "red pill," plunging down the rabbit hole, and seeing through the right/left, monopolistic, industrialized, bureaucratic Matrix.
This is an absolute must-read for anyone passionate about creating and nurturing ideal society.
That's what this book did for me. Sparks were flying through my brain so fast I thought it would erupt. Epiphanies rained down with every page like manna from heaven.
The book combines and concentrates tons of different elements I've been studying and have believed in for years into a coherent and absolutely revolutionary political economic theory - called (and perhaps unfortunately so) "Distributism" -- including:
-New Urbanism & Agricultural Urbanism
-Georgics & Generational Thinking
-Sustainable Agriculture & Locavorism Versus Industrial Food Production & Processing
-Family, Localism & Community Versus Nationalism & Industrialization
-Free Enterprise versus Capitalism
-Production Versus Consumption
-Entrepreneurship Versus Employeeship
-Aristocracy Versus Democratic Republican/Federalist Freedom
-Environmental stewardship
-Historical cycles and the traditional decay of family, community, and morality
-Monetary policy & the dangers of usury
-Creativity & beauty
-Educational specialization versus broad and deep liberal arts
I could go on and on...
I officially and proudly adhere to the Distributist philosophy, which advocates "...a society based on small self-sufficient regions, empowered communities, vibrant neighborhoods, gainfully employed families, individual self-satisfactions, decentralized politics, local economies, sustainable organic agriculture, cooperative work, environmental humility, and careful nurturing of the earth."
If you're deeply entrenched in "right versus left" ideology, this book will frustrate you.
But if you're an open, independent, dialectic thinker, it's like taking the "red pill," plunging down the rabbit hole, and seeing through the right/left, monopolistic, industrialized, bureaucratic Matrix.
This is an absolute must-read for anyone passionate about creating and nurturing ideal society.
October 8, 2008
Beyond Capitalism & Socialism is a Catholic publication that discusses the Distributist, or paleo-corporatist, principles of Catholic thinkers such as Hilaire Belloc and G. K. Chesterton. This book draws heavily on Catholic social teaching found in papal encyclicals and claims to outline "Christian" or "Catholic" economics. There are a number of essays ranging from the intellectual to the anecdotal. The essays were contributed by 12 Catholic authors.
In fact, I believe that the economics of Distributism (which is not an "ism" in the normal sense), are not the exclusive domain of Catholic, or even of Christian faith. The principles discussed in this book are human principles that have been gradually lost and forgotten since the Industrial Revolution changed the world political and social landscape.
The ideas elaborated in the pages of Beyond Capitalism & Socialism represent a return to sane and whole human lives through the natural and original principles of property, family, economy, and association.
Although I am not Catholic, I give this book five stars because I think the subject matter needs to come to the forefront of social discourse in America. We have become blinded by and suffer under the convenient but fickle "isms" of the modern age. This book returns to us some memories of the humane past.
In fact, I believe that the economics of Distributism (which is not an "ism" in the normal sense), are not the exclusive domain of Catholic, or even of Christian faith. The principles discussed in this book are human principles that have been gradually lost and forgotten since the Industrial Revolution changed the world political and social landscape.
The ideas elaborated in the pages of Beyond Capitalism & Socialism represent a return to sane and whole human lives through the natural and original principles of property, family, economy, and association.
Although I am not Catholic, I give this book five stars because I think the subject matter needs to come to the forefront of social discourse in America. We have become blinded by and suffer under the convenient but fickle "isms" of the modern age. This book returns to us some memories of the humane past.
January 24, 2019
Are you interested in "Third Way" economies? Are you tired of the two party duality in the United States? Are you a wayward member of your state's Green Party? Do you consider yourself politically homeless? All these questions, and more, are answered in this smart little tome. Although profoundly Catholic (think GK Chesterton, Dorothy Day, Worker's Party, Pope Francis Catholicism) the book nonetheless raises some tough questions about the nature of command (socialism) and lassaiz-faire economies (American capitalism). Both are, ultimately, untenable in the grand scheme of world history and the economic theories espoused in this compilation, loosely defined under the umbrella of "Distributism," call for radical green, spiritual and societal change.
Coming on the heals of multiple readings of "Small is Beautiful" I found this book compelling and timely. Read Kirkpatrick Sale's forward and you will know that the time has indeed come for a complete rethinking of our relationship to the earth, agriculture, our families, corporate capitalism and many of the preconceived notions behind the corporate-state.
Highly recommended.
Coming on the heals of multiple readings of "Small is Beautiful" I found this book compelling and timely. Read Kirkpatrick Sale's forward and you will know that the time has indeed come for a complete rethinking of our relationship to the earth, agriculture, our families, corporate capitalism and many of the preconceived notions behind the corporate-state.
Highly recommended.
March 15, 2018
Being an multi authored book of essays each individual chapter could stand on its own. Some were excellent “5 star” essays, and others felt like odd selections. So they averaged to 3 stars. Other readers with different backgrounds or interest may like the chapter I didn’t care for much. As a Protestant, a few of the chapters irked me.
The long introduction was a good read, connecting distributivism thought to the similar movement of southern agrarianism of the 12 southerners.
Highlights include the second chapter “I fear no peevish master,” which had one of the better introduction to distributivist thought that I have read. The chapters on Chesterton and Vincent McNabb were both excellent.
My favorite essays were the last two. “For the life of this pig” was well written, and the reader finds himself enmeshed in the communal work of butchering a pig. It ends with a reflection on the rich meaning of traditional life compared to the banality of modern life.
The last chapter was Economics begins at home, arguing for the idea of subsidiarity, Home production, and natural economy. There were some good hands on examples of ways Christian families ought to be pursuing productive households.
The long introduction was a good read, connecting distributivism thought to the similar movement of southern agrarianism of the 12 southerners.
Highlights include the second chapter “I fear no peevish master,” which had one of the better introduction to distributivist thought that I have read. The chapters on Chesterton and Vincent McNabb were both excellent.
My favorite essays were the last two. “For the life of this pig” was well written, and the reader finds himself enmeshed in the communal work of butchering a pig. It ends with a reflection on the rich meaning of traditional life compared to the banality of modern life.
The last chapter was Economics begins at home, arguing for the idea of subsidiarity, Home production, and natural economy. There were some good hands on examples of ways Christian families ought to be pursuing productive households.
December 30, 2011
A compilation of modern distributist thought. Well worth reading. As my understanding of the world matures so does my understanding of the evils purpetrated on the Family by both Capitalism and Socialism. The great minds of Belloc and Chesterton championed another economic therory, one based in common sense and historic reality: distributism. This book is worth reading as it strives to bring back dignity to man and his work: enabling man to fulfill his true purpose, the salvation of his soul.
October 31, 2011
There are a number of you out there who feel as strongly about agriculture and the need to return more people to an ag lifestyle as I do. The essays in this book are highly thought provoking, along these lines. These are all a new look at the Distributist movement and the ideas presented are tantilizing. I am not Catholic, but this is written by Catholics and has a Catholic bent. Some scholars spoke of having an issue with that in the online colloquium that I participated in regarding this book. I did not even really notice. Again, I would love to discuss even one of the essays in this book, if someone would read at least some of this book and get back to me!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews