The Crisis Of Civilization

“Belloc wrote this book in 1937. He saw the rise of communism and shuddered at its ramifications. As I read this I wondered 1) how he would write this book after WWII and 2) how he would assess the current economy. It was a fascinating read in context of the Occupy Wall Street protests. “Much of what he predicted has, in fact, come true. Big business has preempted the small guy. Belloc’s example of grocers resonated with me. The chain store kills the small shopkeeper. Where our small town used to have a dozen neighborhood groceries, it now has three chain stores. Belloc wrote about Wal-Mart before Wal-Mart existed. For me this brings up the perennial Wal-Mart question. Evil empire or not? I haven’t fully examined or engaged with this. "Belloc’s ultimate goal of a unified, sanctified church is my goal too.”--A Living Pencil