Edmund Burke Flashcards
what events did Burke live through
American Revolution (1776)
Start of Industrial Rev. (1750)
Expanding of the British Empire
which Revolution did Burke support
American Revolution
which Revolution did Burke oppose
French Revolution
what was Burke’s famous work
Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790)
when was Reflections on the Revolution in France published
1790
why did Burke oppose the French Revolution
becuase the ideas of it were based on an idealistic society and Burke claimed this was an unrealistic view of human nature
what did Burke believe about change
change was necessary to conserve, but change should proceed on the basis of fact and experience (tradition and empiricism) rather than theory and idealism
what was burkes theory about governments and plants
Burke claimed that society and government was more akin to a plant than a machine
in other words it would grow and do its own thing without being able to be planned
what was Burkes stance on change (French revolution)
change must be cautious and organic, he denounced the French Rev. for disregarding history and tradition
what did Burke say about ‘class’
within all ‘organic’ societies, a ruling class was inevitable and desirable
what did Burke believe was the ruling class’ obligation
that they had a clear obligation to govern in the interests of all
what did Burke think about ‘state’
Burke believed in a minimal state, having ‘little platoons’ helping each other rather than a large government
what is Burke known as
The Father of Conservatism
