Chestertonās Fence is the principle that reforms should not be made until the reasoning behind the current setup has been understood.
In G.K. Chestertonās words:
There exists in ⦠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, āI donāt see the use of this; let us clear it away.ā
To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: āIf you donāt see the use of it, I certainly wonāt 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.
Ā In simple terms,Ā donāt ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up!