Utopia of Usurers [Paperback]

G. K. Chesterton (Author), Aidan Mackey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

An engaging work sure to appeal to both scholars and students for the depth of its thought and the freshness of its claims, this is a two-part book by one of the 20th century's greatest writers. The first part is a coherent analysis of the theory, effects, and claims of capitalism. The second is a lengthy collection of articles from Chesterton's vast journalistic output. The author challenges the fundamental tenets of capitalism without favoring socialism or Marxism by providing a philosophical analysis of the pitfalls, drawbacks, and falsehoods regarding capitalism and its inevitability. This is must reading for any serious investigation into anti-capitalist thought. It is also an exemplary text of how Christian principles and thinking apply to the socioeconomic world.

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"Defend[s] the family and the ordinary man against those who would encroach upon their liberty and integrity."  —Journal of Economic Literature

About the Author

G. K. Chesterton's writing career spanned 35 years and included nearly 100 books and thousands of articles in 125 different periodicals, on topics ranging from travel, economics, and politics to religion and philosophy. His command of the language made him one of the leading literary figures of early 20th-century England. Aidan Mackey is an expert on G. K. Chesteron and the author of Mr. Chesterton Comes to Tea, The Wisdom of GKC, and Hilaire Belloc and His Critics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Ihs Press (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971489432
• ISBN-13: 978-0971489431
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,379,763 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars G.K. Chesterton as a Dangerous Radical Was Fundamentally Honest and Excoriated Hypocrisy, January 13, 2008

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James E. Egolf "James E. Egolf, MA" (Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Utopia of Usurers (Paperback)

G.K. Chesterton has been accused of being a fuddy duddy old fashioned conservative. His book titled UTOPIA OF USURERS undermines this accusation. Chesterton showed clarity, passion, and deadly logic in his criticism of Big Capitalism. This is a book for anyone who considers themselves "radical" but not in the sense of the latest fad or fashion of protest. This book is also not for the timid and apprehensively conventional "do gooder." This review will focus on Chesteron's condemnation bad journalism, corruption of the law and legal (illegal) system, what Chesterton called "The Dregs of Puritanism" and abuse of language.

Chesterton condemned journalism of Big Capitalsim for various reasons. For example, he critisized that while the Usurers improved advertising, they destroyed good art. Art was intended to please aesthetics, but bad journalism reduced art to selling something. When the plutocrats said they gave what the public wanted, Chesterton scoffed at this claim. Journalistic work used advertising to sell stuff such as soap. Yet, the working classes did not post placards selling soap. The working classes raised placards attacking the corruption and illegaliaty of the Usurers which no member of the press dared to present. Chesterton rightly called journalists liars and bores, this latter quality may have undermined newspapers. Readers got bored with journalism written so poorly that it became unreadable.

Then Chesterton gave the coup de grace. He commented that a few thoughtful Englishmen committed the worst sin against Big Capitalism. The sin was that a few intelligent Englishmen started their own journals to show what knowledge, clear thinking, good writing actually were. Chesterton condemned the Usurers' journalists for writing about what was trivial and not writing about anything important.

Chesterton also had some choice words about the legal and political system. He condemned the legal system for corrupating the law and legal process to acquit Big Capitalists for crimes for which they should have been punished. He cited an example of a terrible railroad accident that was due to criminally depraved indifference which caused the death of several good people. Yet, the British legal system exonerated the culprits when the facts were clear that in an attempt to save money, the Capitalists deliberately sacrificed normal safety. Chesterton also offered more scathing denounciations when he chided the Socialists and Communists for being too kind to the Big Capitalists. Chesterton said that rather than using the word "Capitalist," they should have been more blunt and used the word "Cad."

Chesterton also made some interesting comments in a section called the "Dregs of Puritanism." Chesteron used an example of some Puritan do gooder who whined about cigarettes being sent to the front line trenches for British troops who faced death at every turn. Chesterton commented that shells, bullets, barbed wire, bayonets, etc. were not good for mens' health, but the "good reverend" could not understand this. Chesterton commented that historically some Puritans could read well, think clearly, and write great literature (John Milton). Chesterton commented that modern Puritans could do none of the above. Chesterton commented that modern Puritans could mention Milton, good literary translations of the Bible, but none of the modern Puritans had read none of this. Another interesting comment Chesterton made was the "good reverend" complained about cigarettes being sent to the working class men in the trenches, but this cowardly clergyman did not dare write one work about British women visitng drug parlors. Chesterton asked an embarrassing question of this clergyman. He asked who was going to try to enforce prevention of cigarettes being sent to the front. Chesterton clearly said the good clergyman was to stupid and cowardly to do it and would let someone else do what the reverend was to timit to even try.

This reviewer has been critisized for being lured by Chesterton' rhetoric, and this reviewer stands guilty as charged. This reviewer would rather be enchanted by knowledge, clear thinking, and good writing than cede to the nonsense that goes by the name of journalism and "literature" these days. Chesterton could have been more specific in some of the examples he cites, but his impassioned writing, clear thinking, and incisive/excorating criticisms more than compensate for lack of specifics. Anyone who appreciates honesty and good writing would enjoy this book.