At the Road’s End to the Servile State. Criticism of Socialism in the Works of Hilaire Belloc and G. K. Chesterton

Abstract

Socialism went down in history as a system developed to be the answer to the evils present in a capitalistic economy. However, many scholars rejected it from the start, pointing out the possible dangers of such an idea. Amongst them were Hilaire Belloc and G. K. Chesterton, prolific English authors of the early 20th century, and architects of the original economic system known as distributism. Writing from a Roman Catholic perspective, they stood as fierce defenders of Christian Civilization, were utterly disappointed with the social and economic reality of industrial capitalism. Nevertheless, they firmly refused to accept socialism as a remedy, stating that private ownership is a natural institution essential for maintaining human liberty. In this Article, the Author argues that socialism does not stand as a viable economic option, as it is a system that is, in its essence, in conflict with human nature. Moreover, every attempt at implementing its principles will not result in collectivism and social ownership, but in the further suppression of human rights and re-establishing The Servile State characteristic for the pagan past of European society.