History of Distributism ~ Global Distributists: 3) Early Distributist Movements ~ Rerum Novarum

The eighth 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.

During the first half of the 20th century, distributism gained a small but dedicated following, particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. Distributist ideas were put into practice in various ways, such as the establishment of cooperative societies, credit unions, and mutual aid organizations. However, distributism remained a relatively marginal movement, overshadowed by the dominant ideologies of capitalism and socialism.

3.1 Rerum Novarum

Rerum Novarum, an encyclical issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, is a foundational document in Catholic social teaching that addresses the challenges and injustices faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution. The encyclical critiques both capitalism and socialism, proposing an alternative approach to promote social justice and the common good.

Key points of Rerum Novarum include:

• Dignity of the worker: The encyclical emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the dignity of every individual, including workers, who should not be treated as mere commodities.
• Private property: Pope Leo XIII upholds the right to private property as essential for human dignity and well-being, contrasting this with socialism’s denial of such rights.
• Just wage: The encyclical calls for employers to pay a fair wage that enables workers to support themselves and their families.
• Right to organize: Rerum Novarum supports the rights of workers to form labor unions and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions.
• Role of the state: The document outlines the state’s responsibility to promote the common good, protect the rights of individuals, and ensure social justice.
• Principle of subsidiarity: The encyclical emphasizes that decisions should be made at the most local level possible, with higher levels of authority stepping in only when necessary.

Rerum Novarum set the stage for later Catholic social teachings and played an influential role in the development of social justice movements and the economic philosophy of Distributism.