Hilaire Belloc was clearly one of the most amazing intellects in history. Over the course of his amazing literary career, he wrote and had published over 150 books. And many of these are among the best and most important books I have ever read. But, beyond this, Belloc was also, at times, a professional soldier, newspaper man, poet, writer of children's stories, controversialist, apologist, and even an elected member of Parliament! It was this last experience that caused him to write, together with Cecil Chesterton, the younger brother of G.K, this stunning and important book.



Belloc herein describes how the Party System had taken over parliamentary politics within early 20th century England. He avers, and proves, that this Party System served not the needs of the English populace, but rather the interlocking needs of the Elite. And he demonstrates clearly that much of the apparent conflict between the two false "wings" of the Party System was a blatant fraud. In reality, Belloc avers, the Elite were joined together by interests both cultural, familial, and financial. And they secretly worked together much more than they worked against one another.



In reflection, it is truly remarkable how Belloc's description of early 20th century English politics fits today's early 21st century American politics. Here also we have two supposedly opposed parties. Yet we see former Presidents Clinton and Bush sharing many common interests. "Democrat" Joe Lieberman stumps for "republican" John McCain. "Republican" Chuck Hagel is seen as a potential running mate for "democrat" Barack Obama. Impeachment has been declared "off the table" by the "democrat" House leadership. Again, as with early 20th century England, we have in America today, a situation where the conflict between the two "sides" of the Party System is pretty much a total fraud.



This little book is excellent, and well worth the price and time. Those who dearly love Belloc's lilting prose will be a trifle disconcerted, as the narrative, at times, shifts from the hand of Belloc to that Chesterton without warning. That notwithstanding, it is still a wonderful and most noteworthy book. God bless.

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