On Localism

The following is an article that was published on the T&G website on my new blog, Locally Grown. I thought you Chestertonians might find it interesting.

Best,

AFZ


Did I mention that I’m an amateur philosopher? Well, I am. I won’t bore you with all of my philosophical meanderings, but I will make some case for the philosophical basis for localism. By 'localism' I mean an emphasis on your immediate community in terms of economics, recreation, and politics. Our culture has become more and more 'global', which is not per se a bad thing. Globalism has brought significant economic growth for large swaths of world population. But, I would argue, globalism has over-extended itself in many areas to the detriment of, again, large swaths of world population.

The guiding principle, for me, in discussions of 'globalism' vs. 'localism' is something called the Principle of Subsidiarity. Subsidiarity states that all institutions should function at the lowest hierarchical level at which they are effective. Stated simply, it says that “Small is Beautiful”. There are some things, like building jets, that can’t be done effectively at a local level. But there are other things, like making hamburgers, that can be done quite well at a local level. And not only can hamburgers be made locally, there will be more benefits to sourcing, producing, and buying your burgers locally.

There are many reasons for this, but here is a briefly stated list that outlines the benefits of buying your burgers (or art supplies, or tires, or real estate services) from a local, independent business:

1. Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally owned business, rather than a nationally owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms - continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
2. Non-profit organizations receive an average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.
3. Where we shop, where we eat, and have fun - all of it makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place.
4. Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation and generally set up shop in town or city centers as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.
5. Small local businesses are the nation's largest employer, and often provide employees with more opportunities for professional growth, personal development, and advancement.
6. Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know customers.
7. Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
8. Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.
9. A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term. A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers, guarantees a much broader range of product choices.
10. A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

I'm not anti-growth, and as I said, I believe that some businesses best function at a large, international level. But I believe that we have been sold a bill of goods when we are told that it's all about the bottom line. Sure, McDonalds can get me a hamburger in two minutes for 99 cents. But, to paraphrase Hilaire Belloc, "Industrialism has ensured that all over the world men can enjoy exactly the same bad wine." McDonald's has ensured that we all have access to the same bad hamburgers, almost to exclusion.

It's hard to take a stand for localism without some bashing of globalism. But the point is not to bash, but to point out the benefits of local, independent businesses. Personally, I find the investments that I make with local businesses always pay off. Even though I can't buy a can opener anywhere but Wal Mart or Target, there are lots of opportunities to support local businesses. I think it's an investment you won't regret.