Edmund Burke Flashcards
when was he born?
1729
who does he tie himself to?
Marquis de Rockingham
when does he become MP
1765-1794
what was he noted for as an MP
speechmaking and pamphlets he published
what group is he leader of?
Rockingham whigs
what did his opposition to French Revolution help?
turn Europe against revolution
what is he often cited as?
most influential conservative ever
shared features of conservatism
- religious
- attachment to traditional life
- society cannot be leveled
- close relationship between freedom and private property
- faith in prescription not reason
- distrust of substantial change
what does he acknowledge a push and pull between?
complexity of society and human ability to understand it
what do conservatives not agree with?
enlightenment thought mandated that specific aspects of society need overt justification
simplistic view of conservatism
it isn’t really a political theory
Burkes conservatism
came about as a defense of a philosophy of life rather than an attempt at systematic political theory
Burkes single great work to point to
Reflections on the Revolution of France
what do his works provide?
a reasoned defense of existing society against an overly aggressive usage of reason
what is his writings in reflections a response to
a sermon given by Richard Price, who supported the revolution
Fundamental principles from Price about the French revolution
- religious liberty
- right to resist
- authority is derived from the people
what did burke think the revolution represented?
the triumph of extremism
what does burke advocate for?
virtual representation
what is your mp a representative of?
your interests
what does the mp representing your interests fall in line with?
delegates v. trustees
how does he view the role of gov?
pursuing the collective good
if the revolution is not desirable is it ever ok to change?
yes but its complicated
radical change is rarely desirable
how does he advocate for reform?
using existing materials
you want to reform from within rather from the outside
what is his goal w/ reform?
accomplish a “better state of affairs”
Why is razing a gov and replacing it w/ something better much easier said than done?
you need to be as certain as possible that what’s replacing is better
can’t change everything all at once
make sure benefits outweigh the cost
