Changes

'''Edmund Burke''' (born January 12, 1729 in [[Dublin]], died July 9, 1797) was an [[Ireland|Irish]] statesman in Britain, a powerful orator, a deep political thinker, and an author who is till widely read.   

'''Edmund Burke''' (born January 12, 1729 in [[Dublin]], died July 9, 1797) was an Irish and British statesman, a powerful orator, a deep political thinker, and an author who is till widely read.   

Burke was a leading opponent of the [[French Revolution]] and one of the first to develop a coherent conservative political philosophy; his ideas continue to influence conservatives.

Burke rallied Britain against the radicalism of the [[French Revolution]]. In the process he became one of the first to develop a coherent conservative political philosophy; his ideas continue to influence conservatives. Burke argued that a nation's institutions, customs and values were the long-term product of its experiences over the centuries, as small adjustments were made to fit changing needs and the cumulative effect was the current society. Writing before the [[Industrial Revolution]] had shown much impact, he thought change was always incremental and slow. Indeed he argued that current observers were unlikely to fully appreciate the hidden gems of wisdom of the "ancient constitution"; efforts to impose radical changes based on visions rather than experience, such as the [[French Revolution]], were therefore doomed to failure.  Keenly concerned with the fairness of the [[British Empire]] Burke opposed royal efforts to suppress the American Revolution; he called for more liberties for the peple of India and his native Ireland.

Burke believed that a nation's institutions, customs and values were the long-term product of its experiences over the centuries, as small adjustments were made to fit changing needs and the cumulative effect was the current society. Writing before the [[Industrial Revolution]] had shown much impact, he thought change was always incremental and slow. Indeed he argued that current observers were unlikely to fully appreciate the hidden gems of wisdom of the "ancient constitution"; efforts to impose radical changes based on visions rather than experience, such as the [[French Revolution]], were therefore doomed to failure.  Keenly concerned with the fairness of the [[British Empire]] Burke opposed royal efforts to suppress the American Revolution; he called for more liberties for the peple of India and his native Ireland.

==Life==

==Life==

The book, for example, has ten pages on the monasteries of France that deplores not only the confiscation of their property but also the destruction of the institutions themselves, which are defended for their contribution to learning, beauty, and agriculture and for their general social role. Their "superstition" is vindicated as preferable to that of the radical philosophes. Burke maintains that they could and should have been reformed rather than suppressed.<ref> Derek Beales, "Edmund Burke and the Monasteries of France." ''Historical Journal'' 2005 48(2): 415-436. Issn: 0018-246x </ref>  

The book, for example, has ten pages on the monasteries of France that deplores not only the confiscation of their property but also the destruction of the institutions themselves, which are defended for their contribution to learning, beauty, and agriculture and for their general social role. Their "superstition" is vindicated as preferable to that of the radical philosophes. Burke maintains that they could and should have been reformed rather than suppressed.<ref> Derek Beales, "Edmund Burke and the Monasteries of France." ''Historical Journal'' 2005 48(2): 415-436. Issn: 0018-246x </ref>  

By contrast with the French fiasco, he praised the Glorious Revolution of 1688 in Britain, saying, "The Revolution was made to preserve our ancient indisputable laws and liberties, and that ancient constitution of government which is our only security for law and liberty." The English were not creating a new regime, merely restoring the old one that had been distorted by the Catholic James II.<ref> J.G.A.  Pocock, "Burke and the Ancient Constitution", ''Historical Journal,'' 3 (1960), 125-43 </ref>  Burke in particular saw the Church and the aristocracy, whose power was based on property, as the true carriers of tradition. Burke's Christian faith, though broad, undogmatic and ecumenical, was an immutable element in his beliefs and prevented any sympathy, acceptance or compromise with the anti-religious aims of the French Revolution.

By contrast with the French fiasco, he praised the Glorious Revolution of 1688 in Britain, saying, "The Revolution was made to preserve our ancient indisputable laws and liberties, and that ancient constitution of government which is our only security for law and liberty." The English were not creating a new regime, merely restoring the old one that had been distorted by the Catholic James II.<ref> J.G.A.  Pocock, "Burke and the Ancient Constitution", ''Historical Journal,'' 3 (1960), 125-43 </ref>   

Burke in particular saw the established church (the Church of England) and the aristocracy, whose power was based on landed property, as the true carriers of tradition. Burke's Christian faith, broad, undogmatic and ecumenical, was a basic element in his beliefs and prevented any sympathy, acceptance or compromise with the anti-religious aims of the French Revolution.

For Burke, the great struggle was that between religion and atheism, and he sought to develop a union of all Christian religious sects, denominations, and traditions to combat those who opposed Christianity. For years he supported the rights of Protestant dissenters and Roman Catholics in England. He believed that religion, established churches, and confessional states added important dimensions of depth and wisdom to society.

For Burke, the great struggle was that between religion and atheism, and he sought to develop a union of all Christian religious sects, denominations, and traditions to combat those who opposed Christianity. For years he supported the rights of Protestant dissenters and Roman Catholics in England. He believed that religion, established churches, and confessional states added important dimensions of depth and wisdom to society.

* Pocock, J.G.A. "Burke and the Ancient Constitution", ''Historical Journal,'' 3 (1960), 125-43; shows Burke's debt to the Common Law tradition of the 17th century [http://www.jstor.org/pss/3020472 in JSTOR]

* Pocock, J.G.A. "Burke and the Ancient Constitution", ''Historical Journal,'' 3 (1960), 125-43; shows Burke's debt to the Common Law tradition of the 17th century [http://www.jstor.org/pss/3020472 in JSTOR]

* Raeder, Linda C. "Edmund Burke: Old Whig." ''Political Science Reviewer'' 2006 35: 115-131. Issn: 0091-3715 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]], argues Burke's ideas closely resemble those of conservative philosopher Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992).  

* Raeder, Linda C. "Edmund Burke: Old Whig." ''Political Science Reviewer'' 2006 35: 115-131. Issn: 0091-3715 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]], argues Burke's ideas closely resemble those of conservative philosopher Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992).  

*  Stanlis, Peter. ''Edmund Burke and the Natural Law'' (1958)

*  Stanlis, Peter. ''Edmund Burke and the Natural Law'' (1958)

* Whelan, Frederick G. ''Edmund Burke and India: Political Morality and Empire'' (1996)  

* Whelan, Frederick G. ''Edmund Burke and India: Political Morality and Empire'' (1996)  

* ''Burke's Politics'' (1949), edited by R. Hoffman and P. Levack  

* ''Burke's Politics'' (1949), edited by R. Hoffman and P. Levack  

* Burke, Edmund, ''The Writings and Speeches of Edmund Burke'' (9 vol 1981- ) [http://www.questia.com/read/59629780?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%201 vol 1 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/73877114?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%202 vol 2 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/73877114?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%202 vol 6 ''India: The Launching of the Hastings Impeachment, 1786–1788'' online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/74655036?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%208 vol 8 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/29059987?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%209 vol 9 online];  

* Burke, Edmund, ''The Writings and Speeches of Edmund Burke'' (9 vol 1981- ) [http://www.questia.com/read/59629780?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%201 vol 1 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/73877114?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%202 vol 2 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/73877114?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%202 vol 6 ''India: The Launching of the Hastings Impeachment, 1786–1788'' online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/74655036?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%208 vol 8 online]; [http://www.questia.com/read/29059987?title=The%20Writings%20and%20Speeches%20of%20Edmund%20Burke%20-%20Vol.%209 vol 9 online];  

====notes====

====notes====

{{DEFAULTSORT: Burke, Edmund}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Burke, Edmund}}

[[Category:Political People]]

[[Category:Political People]]

[[Category:Irish People]]

[[Category:Irish People]]