What’s Wrong With The World?

G.K. Chesterton, 1910. Audiobook read by Wade Stotts

G.K. Chesterton wrote this book in 1910. But Dale Ahlquist quips that, “there is good evidence that it was actually written today.” I concur with that assessment.

In this book, Chesterton attacks a number of the wrong-headed notions that were current in England prior to the World Wars. In a stark illustration of Ecclesiastes 1:9, we find that much of the same muddled thinking runs wild in our 21st century American streets.

Of the many examples, one most worth highlighting—and remembering—is his way of dismantling feminism. Feminists old and new insist that women can and should do anything a man can do; and succeed in turning her into a third rate man while removing from her the joys of domesticity and femininity. But conveniently for the men, women still have those feminine duties which sense and custom dictate to her, given man’s ill-fit for them. This means that she is more tired and worn out and feeling torn in multiple directions than ever. But, alas, such is the price of liberation.

This plays into his critique of capitalism—or, at least, crony capitalism—which wants women in the workforce not because of magnanimous public spirit (women’s advancement!), but to force down wage values. It’s similar to the protectionist critique of too much immigration today.

Chesterton’s pathological hatred of Calvinism is also all over this book, which I find annoying, but I can get past that for the otherwise abundant great humor and good sense.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Highly recommended.

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