What is Distributism?
Neither socialism nor capitalism: property spread widely among small owners, family firms and guilds.
On our 12-axis map it is defined by religious faith (80%), local power (76%), traditional tradition (76%) and democracy rule (72%), and stays fairly neutral on liberty, force and ownership. On the two-axis compass it falls in the Libertarian Centre area.
What Distributism stands for
Faith and religious values should shape public life and the laws we live by.
Decisions belong with towns, regions and communities; distance from power is a risk.
Long-standing norms, family structures and morals hold society together.
Leaders should be chosen, criticized and replaced by the people, regularly and freely.
Libertarian Centre
Economic +0.9 · Social -2.4 (−10 to +10).
Biggest difference: trade — Distributism is more protection (70% vs 44%).
Biggest difference: ownership — Distributism is more collective (56% vs 30%).
Biggest difference: nation — Distributism is more global (40% vs 10%).
Nearest historical thinkers: Jean-Jacques Rousseau (86%), Edmund Burke (84%) and John Locke (79%).
Distributism, axis by axis
Government
World
Economy
Society
Profiles are simplified summaries of mainstream positions; real movements vary by country and era. Methodology.
FAQ
Is Distributism left or right?
On the classic political compass Distributism sits at economic +0.9 and social -2.4 (−10 to +10), which places it in the Libertarian Centre area. Economically it leans toward markets and private ownership.
What does Distributism believe?
Neither socialism nor capitalism: property spread widely among small owners, family firms and guilds. Its most defining positions are religious on faith, local on power, traditional on tradition and democracy on rule.
What ideologies are similar to Distributism?
The closest profiles on our 12 axes are Christian Democracy (86% similar), Conservatism (85% similar) and Right-Wing Populism (83% similar).
Am I a Distributism supporter?
Take the free 12 Axes test: your result shows your match percentage with Distributism and 30 other ideologies.