Gilbert Keith Chesterton’s critique of British imperialism

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936) was a famous English writer, a journalist, a philosopher and a Christian apologetic. In his works he dealt with many issues, among which were those concerning significant political questions that were widely discussed in public debates in the United Kingdom in the first decades of the twentieth century. This article describes and analyses Chesterton’s critical reflections on British imperialistic policy. The author: 1. Makes a brief analysis of the concept and the phenomenon of imperialism and imperialistic policy. 2. Presents Chesterton’s point of view on imperialism. 3. Depicts Chesterton’s vision of international order and England as part of this order. The author explains why imperialism must be, from a Christian point of view, found immoral and indicates how it is possible to remain being an English patriot while condemning the British Empire and its international politics.