https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Wikipedia%3AChesterton%27s_fenceWikipedia:Chesterton's fence - Revision history2026-05-15T20:45:48ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.35.5https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Chesterton%27s_fence&diff=5627&oldid=prevTachyony: Imported page2021-12-19T18:00:31Z<p>Imported page</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{hatnote|This page is a Wikipedia essay. It is not an encyclopedia article. For Wikipedia's coverage of the topic, see [[Chesterton's fence]].}}<br />
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{{essay|WP:FENCE}}<br />
{{nutshell|Don't change something until you understand why it is the way it is. There may be a valid reason for it to be that way.}}<br />
[[File:Blocked road - geograph.org.uk - 1024571.jpg|right|thumb|Although the purpose of this fence is not obvious, there may be valid reasons for its presence.]]<br />
'''Chesterton's fence''' is the principle that reforms should not be made until the reasoning behind the existing state of affairs is understood. The quotation is from [[G. K. Chesterton]]'s 1929 book ''The Thing'', in the chapter entitled "The Drift from Domesticity":<br />
<blockquote>In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterton.org/taking-a-fence-down/|title=Taking a Fence Down|publisher=American Chesterton Society|accessdate=21 June 2014}}</ref></blockquote><br />
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Chesterton's admonition should first be understood within his own historical context, as a response to certain socialists and reformers of his time (e.g. [[George Bernard Shaw]]).<br />
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==What this means on Wikipedia==<br />
If you're considering nominating something for deletion, or changing a policy, because it doesn't appear to have any use or purpose, research its history first. You may find out why it was created, and perhaps understand that it still serves a purpose. If you believe the issue it addressed is no longer valid, frame your argument for deletion in a way that acknowledges that.<br />
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==See also==<br />
* [[Cobra effect]]<br />
* [[The Structure of Scientific Revolutions]]<br />
* [[Unintended consequences]]<br />
* [[Overton window]]<br />
* [[Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France]]<br />
* [[Precautionary principle]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Wikipedia essays}}</div>Tachyony