History of Distributism ~ Global Distributists: 4) Resurgence and Modern Distributism ~ 4.1 Australia’s Democratic Labour Party

The thirteenth instalment of the series of articles from Global Distributists on the origins of Distributism and how it's been adapted and implemented around the world.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in distributism as a response to growing concerns about wealth inequality, environmental sustainability, and the erosion of community life. Modern distributists advocate for a range of policies that promote the decentralization of political power, support for small businesses and cooperatives, and the fair distribution of land and resources.

Today, distributism is an influential movement within the larger sphere of alternative economic thought, and its principles have been embraced by a diverse array of political parties, activists, and thinkers around the world. The Global Distributist Party is one such organization, working to advance the principles of distributism in order to create a more just, sustainable, and equitable society.

Distributism, as an economic philosophy, has influenced various economic models and organizations throughout history. Advocates of distributism emphasize the importance of widespread property ownership, localism, and the support of small-scale enterprises. This page outlines some notable economic models and organizations that have been inspired by distributist principles.

4.1 Australia’s Democratic Labour Party

The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) in Australia has had an interesting relationship with distributism throughout its history. Distributism, a socio-economic philosophy that advocates for the widespread distribution of property and ownership, has influenced the DLP’s policy stances in different ways.

The DLP was formed in 1955 as a result of a split within the Australian Labor Party (ALP). The split was primarily caused by ideological differences and tensions between the ALP’s left-wing faction, which was influenced by communism, and its more conservative, anti-communist faction. The anti-communist faction formed the Democratic Labour Party, aiming to represent the interests of the working class and uphold traditional Catholic social teachings.

Distributism, as a concept derived from Catholic social teachings, was an important influence on the DLP’s policy platform. The party aimed to promote a more equitable distribution of wealth, resources, and property, to counter the concentration of power and wealth within a small elite, as seen in both capitalism and communism. The DLP’s distributist-inspired policies included support for small businesses, cooperatives, and family farms, as well as measures to protect workers’ rights.

Throughout its history, the DLP has consistently advocated for policies that echo distributist principles. For example, the party has pushed for a more progressive tax system, which would place a higher burden on the wealthy and help redistribute wealth to lower-income individuals. The DLP has also supported policies to strengthen social safety nets and increase access to affordable housing, education, and healthcare.

In recent years, the DLP has continued to emphasize the importance of distributist principles in its policy platform. However, the party has faced challenges in maintaining electoral relevance as the Australian political landscape has evolved. The rise of new parties and changing political dynamics have made it difficult for the DLP to secure a substantial base of support.

In summary, the Democratic Labour Party in Australia has had a long-standing connection with distributism, as the philosophy has played a significant role in shaping the party’s policy stances. The DLP’s emphasis on equitable wealth distribution, support for small businesses, and protection of workers’ rights reflect the party’s commitment to distributist principles. Distributism remains a core component of the DLP’s ideological foundation.