What it means to be CLTN
CLTN stands for Collective, Liberty, Traditional, National. You lean towards fairness for working people and limited government. You also value local identity, shared customs and a strong sense of place.
You probably trust a town, a region or a people more than a distant capital or a global firm. You may worry that big markets and big institutions wear away the things that hold communities together.
Views you probably hold
- Small producers, farmers and workers should keep a fair share of what they make.
- Decisions are best made close to the people they affect.
- Local culture, language and custom deserve protection.
- Big corporations and big states both threaten ordinary people's independence.
- A fair society rests on honest work and plain dealing.
What admirers see
- Admirers say it keeps democracy close to the people.
- It guards against both corporate and state overreach.
- It gives people a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose.
What critics say
- Critics say local control can leave poorer places without the resources they need.
- Opponents argue that stress on custom can leave out newcomers and minorities.
- Critics say small-scale models struggle to deal with global problems.
In history
Strands of this shape include localism, Proudhon's mutualism and Rousseau's ideas of small self-governing communities. Some Black nationalist traditions also land here, with their focus on community control and self-reliance. George Orwell's mix of plain decency, fairness and attachment to his own country fits the shape too. It has often appeared as a reaction to industrial change.