The Outline of Sanity

By G.K. Chesterton

Book Overview

G. K. Chesterton's famous thesis explores the subjects of poverty, agriculture, machinery, capital gain, and concentration of wealth from an anti-capitalist viewpoint. This fascinating volume argues... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1908388293
• ISBN13: 9781908388292
• Release Date: August 2011
• Publisher: Aziloth Books
• Length: 146 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Third Way

There is a third way between the two halves of the same coin, Socialism (in which the means of production are controlled by the state) and Industrial Capitalism (in which the means of production are controlled by a capitalist elite). That third way is known as Distributism, in which the means of production are widely distributed amongst the citizenry. Chesterton is among the most humane of 20th century authors -- perhaps the author having the most books gracing my library shelves. Along with Belloc's Restoration of Property, this is a must-read for those interested in an alternative to the dehumanizing economics of our day.

An Economics Appraisal that Considered Men More Cogs in a Machine

G.K. Chesterton (1874-1937)wrote THE OUTLINE OF SANITY as a possible alternative to Big Capitalism and Big Communism. Chesterton offered an economic solution that was both "idealistic" and practicle. Bascially, Chesterton argued that, "Smaller is better." Chesteron knew that the economic arrangements in Great Britian and these United States had serious flaws that undermined small farmers, small shop owners, and industrial workers. He suggested that men should gradually attempt to reverse the trends that were taking place by restoring men as owners of small shops and small land holdings in place of large farms and monopolisitc owned factories which ruined so many people. Chesteron was clear that Big Communism an evil system which offered so actual solution. Chesterton described Big Capitalism as a system whereby monopolists used a corrupt parliament and a corrupt legal system to condemn land and property to control economic activities and concentrate vast wealth in the hands of a few plutocrats. He described Big Capitalism as a system where the very wealth concentrated wealth in the pockets of a few while economic despoiling most people. He described Big Communism as a system where no one could have pockets because a politically powerful oligarchy of party hacks would run the economy and use and abuse the mass of people. Chesterton also critisized the Machine Age, but he did not critisize machines or technology. Chestertoned that unfair and corrupt legislation resulted in Big Capitialism having access to factories and machines. He also noticed that the economic situation in Great Britain resulted in idle machines since so many men were unemployed. In other words, what good were machines without men to work them. Chesterton appreciated machines, but he was against worshipping machines. Chesterton also critisized monopolists who wanted to make money (profits),but they wanted to lower wages and salaries. Chesterton wryly asked how could men buy what the monopolists produced with lower incomes. Part of Chesteron's solution was for people to boycott the Big Shops (Box Stores?)and patronize the Small Shops. Chesterton noticed that the Big Shops had poor service and inferior quality. However, the Small Shops had a "personal touch" and better made goods. Another problem that Chesterton noticed was that Big Capitalists and Big Communists bitterly resented clear thinking, independent men. Both Capitialists and Communists wanted a standardized society whereby conformity and hypocrisy were substituted for honesty and independence. Big Capitalism ruined men by corrupting politicans and jurists. Big Communism ruined men by concentration camps and mass murder. Chesterton showed concern that Big Capitalism and Big Communism dehumanized men. The monopolists wanted an utopia of stock brokers, and the communists wanted an utopia of utopian comrades, and neither of these existed or could exist. Chesterton want a practicle society of men who had a personal stak

A powerful vision that justly demands consideration

The Outline Of Sanity is a philosophical treatise on the social vision of renowned British author and Christian philosopher G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936), known as "distributism". Chesterton presents his antithesis to the impersonal bustle of increasingly fast-paced modern life, and offers a logical means for human beings swept by the tide to regain control over life and future. With a Catholic foundation yet meant to encompass people of all religious persuasions, Chesterton's vision of Distributism is a powerful one that justly demands consideration, particularly in this modern day and age where his concerns of a society of alienation multiply a thousandfold!