The Party System

by Hilaire Belloc, Cecil Chesterton, Sforza Ruspoli (Preface)

Pertinent to America, Britain, and other Western democracies, this book explains that what people believe happens in national assemblies and parliaments is radically different from the reality. Instead of being places where debate is intense, passionate, and aimed at the national interest, the fact is most members of these institutions act on behalf of powerful, unelected interests. They know, implicitly, who really runs the country—and their only real task is to decide if they want to try and rock the boat (thereby risking their salary, their reputation, their future), or stay silent for fear or favor. The book demonstrates beyond any doubt that the very nature of the system is hostile to democracy as laypeople understand it.

Genres: Politics, Catholic

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1910

About the author

People considered Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc, French-born British writer, as a master of light English prose and also knew widely his droll verse, especially The Bad Child's Book of Beasts in 1896.

Sharp wit of Hilaire Belloc, an historian, poet, and orator, extended across literary output and strong political and religious convictions. Oxford educated this distinguished debater and scholar. Throughout his career, he prolifically across a range of genres and produced histories, essays, travelogues, poetry, and satirical works.

Cautionary Tales for Children collects best humorous yet dark morals, and historical works of Hilaire Belloc often reflected his staunch Catholicism and critique of Protestant interpretations. He led advocates of an economic theory that promotes and championed distribution of small-scale property ownership as a middle ground between capitalism and socialism alongside Gilbert Keith Chesterton, his close friend.

In politics, Hilaire Belloc served as a member of Parliament for the Liberal party, but the establishment disillusioned him. His polemical style and strong opinions made a controversial figure, who particularly viewed modernism, secularism, and financial capitalism as threats to traditional Christian society in his critiques.

Influence and vast literary legacy of Hilaire Belloc extends into historical circles. Erudition, humor, and a forceful rhetorical style characterized intellectual vigor and unique perspective, which people continue to study and to appreciate, on history, society, and human nature.

Reviews

[J. Alfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book written by GK Chesterton's brother and best friend. The only reason I read it is because he mentioned it. The only reason anybody reads it is more or less the same, I'd guess.
As for content: you can guess it, which means you won't learn anything, at least if you're not researching English turn of the century scandal.
As for style: not the famous Chesterton's.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written as a commentary on the British Parliment in the era shortly after the turn-of-the-century it was quite easy to read between the lines and see the parallels with the US congressional system as experienced in my lifetime.

The nominal oppositional paradigm of two parties that actually function as one party motivated solely for self-agrandizement. The manner in which politics seems to attract the either the most corruptible or perhaps simply the most susceptible rather than the "best & brightest". The flow of monies funding election success and the seemingly total lack of respect for the will of the people. All these symptoms seem quite synchonous with the system as now practiced here in the States.

Apparently the warnings and observations of Messrs. Belloc & Chesterton went unheeded in their day which gives little hope for any substantive improvement here.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the authors were discussing the British political system, sometimes it seemed like the principles could just as well be applied to the U.S. political system. (Such as their comment in chapter 5 concerning third parties; people are discouraged from voting for the candidate that they actually support for "fear of wasting a vote".)