What's Wrong with the World: Modern, Updated Translation

What's Wrong with the World: Modern, Updated Translation

What's Wrong with the World (1910) stands as G.K. Chesterton's incisive critique of early twentieth-century social reforms and modern philosophical trends, combining wit, paradox, and profound insight to defend traditional social institutions. Through a series of interconnected essays, Chesterton challenges both progressive and conservative assumptions about education, feminism, property, and the family. We have updated this timeless classic into a modern, updated translation so you can understand exactly what Chesterton wrote over a hundred years ago! At its heart, the book argues that modern reforms often misdiagnose social problems by failing to understand human nature and the wisdom embedded in traditional institutions. Chesterton particularly focuses on the family, education, and property rights, arguing that progressive attempts to reform these institutions often destroy their essential purposes. The work is notable for its defense of the home as a creative and free space, its critique of industrialization's effect on human dignity, and its argument that true democracy requires widely distributed property. What distinguishes this work is Chesterton's characteristic style of using paradox and humor to reveal deeper truths. While addressing serious social issues, he employs witty analogies and memorable phrases to expose the contradictions in modern thought. His critique is particularly valuable for challenging both capitalist and socialist assumptions while proposing a distributist alternative based on widespread property ownership and protection of family autonomy. The influence of What's Wrong with the World extends beyond its immediate historical context, offering enduring insights into social reform and human nature. Modern readers continue to find in Chesterton's analysis relevant critiques of technocratic solutions to social problems and compelling arguments for the importance of traditional institutions. About the Author G.K. Chesterton (1874-1936) was one of the most prolific and versatile writers of the early twentieth century, known for his poetry, fiction, literary criticism, and social commentary. Writing from a distinctly Catholic perspective (though this work predates his conversion to Catholicism), he combined philosophical depth with journalistic accessibility. His ability to defend traditional values while critiquing both progressive and conservative orthodoxies made him a unique voice in social criticism. Through this work and others, his influence continues to shape discussions of social policy, economics, and human flourishing.