A system of society or group living in which there is no private property; a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state. Read More about Socialism
A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition. Read More
A theory advocating elimination of private property; a system in which goods are owned in common and are available to all as needed; a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production. Read More about Communism
An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market. Read More about Capitalism
Distributism is a third-way economic philosophy formulated by such Roman Catholic thinkers as G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc to apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching articulated by the Roman Catholic Church. According to distributism, the ownership of the means of production should be spread as widely as possible among the general populace, rather than being centralized under the control of the state (indirect socialism) or a few large businesses or wealthy private individuals (capitalism). Read More about Distributism
In the modern day version of socialist governments, individual and economic rights are diminished and ultimately the dignity of the human person is eroded. The symptoms of such governments are: stifling taxes and regulations; government programs that replace private services, such as health care; and intrusive regulation of daily life. As government programs grow and gradually begin controlling more and more factors in society, power (and often wealth) is concentrated into a few elite “rule makers” who themselves aren’t always governed by the rules. The everyday citizenry can be controlled because the government can dole out the basic necessities of life, such as money, food, and medicine. In countries in which socialist policies have run amok, regulators begin making decisions, or implementing policies that encourage decisions that are at the most fundamental level of human existence, especially those involving life: contraception, abortion, and euthanasia.
The Mission of the Acton Institute is to promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.
With the fall of the Berlin Wall, the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the success of free markets many believed that socialism had seen its last days. But socialism did not die. It continues to advance in new ways. Socialist visions of man and society dominate many of our cultural institutions, academia, media, government, and religion. In Latin America, Europe, and even the US, proponents of socialist ideas are gaining influence. While we celebrated the triumph of freedom has socialism won over the culture?