Episode 171 — How G.K. Chesterton Was Right About Everything w/Dale Ahlquist

G.K. Chesterton saw the crisis of the modern world coming—and offered an alternative rooted in faith, family, property, community, and common sense.

On Episode 171 of The Backlash, Dave Reilly is joined by Dale Ahlquist, president of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and work of the great Catholic writer.

They discuss Chesterton’s conversion, his most important works, his defense of the Catholic faith, and the renewed effort to formally open his cause for canonization. Why do so many Catholics regard Chesterton as a saint? What obstacles have delayed his cause—and could it finally move forward?

The conversation also explores Distributism and Localism: the idea that property, productive land, businesses, and economic power should be distributed among families and communities rather than concentrated in the hands of corporations or the state.

Finally, Dale explains how the Chesterton Academies are restoring joyfully Catholic, classical education as an alternative to the public-school system. Dave and Dale also discuss the Catholic Land Movement and the practical work of rebuilding Catholic community through land, agriculture, education, and local institutions.

Can Chesterton’s vision help us escape the failures of the modern world—and begin rebuilding Catholic civilization?

According to the Society’s current materials, the Church is investigating the possibility of opening Chesterton’s cause; it is safest to describe this episode as covering the effort to formally open the cause, rather than saying that a formal cause is already underway. Dale is also co-founder of the original Chesterton Academy, whose network now includes more than 70 schools.

https://www.chesterton.org/
https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/
Buy Dale's latest book Localism: https://amzn.to/4yAOte3
Buy Chesterton's Book The Outline Of Sanity: https://www.chesterton.org/store/product/the-outline-of-sanity/