Edmund Burke

Question 1

Which type of conservative was Edmund Burke?

Answer 1

Burke was a traditional conservative

Question 2

What were Edmund Burke’s beliefs on human nature?

Answer 2

Burke was sceptical but not cynical views of human nature. He argued that individuals are flawed and cannot be perfected but are capable of goodness and affection if people’s actions are informed by custom and tradition
(thus the state should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite, reared to rule in the interests of all to allow individuals to flourish)

Question 3

What were Edmund Burke’s beliefs on the state?

Answer 3

Edmund Burke argued that the state arises organically and should be aristocratic, driven by a hereditary elite, reared to rule in the interests of all
(allowing human nature to flourish since individuals are capable of goodness and affection if their actions are informed by custom and tradition)

Question 4

What were Edmund Burke’s beliefs on society?

Answer 4

Burke favoured local communities which he called ‘little platoons’
(allowing natural bonds of trust, duty and loyalty to emerge)

Question 5

What were Edmund Burke’s beliefs on the economy?

Answer 5

Burke believed that trade should involve ‘organic’ free markets and laissez-faire capitalism
(thus??)