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'''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.   

'''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 still widely read.   

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 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 people of India and his native Ireland.

==Life==

==Life==

During his political career he campaigned constantly, but unsuccessfully in the short term. He advocated administrative reform of the royal household and to increase the power of the crown so as to reward its supporters; He supported the elimination of anti-Catholic laws in [[Ireland]] and the controls on trade with that island.; He was in favour of generous treatment to the American Colonists, and supported reconciliation from the outbreak of hostilities with the [[American Revolution]]; He favoured strong state support for the established Anglican Church and for the landed gentry;  

During his political career he campaigned constantly, but unsuccessfully in the short term. He advocated administrative reform of the royal household and to increase the power of the crown so as to reward its supporters; He supported the elimination of anti-Catholic laws in [[Ireland]] and the controls on trade with that island.; He was in favour of generous treatment to the American Colonists, and supported reconciliation from the outbreak of hostilities with the [[American Revolution]]; He favoured strong state support for the established Anglican Church and for the landed gentry;  

==India==

==India==

He fought for restrictions on the powers of the [[East India Company]] in its administration of [[India]]; in particular he used stunningly brilliant speeched to lead the greatest impeachment trial in the history of the [[British Empire]], that of the first governor-general of India for the East India Company, Warren Hastings 1732–1818. He was alleged to have committed "high crimes and misdemeanours" during his governorship of India, 1772–1785. Hastings was charges with financial corruption, use of political power for extorting bribes from native rulers of India, abuse of judicial authority, despotism, and arbitrary rule; he was being tried specifically for illegally occupying territory in India by launching aggressive offensive and criminal wars against native rulers, treaty violations, and for open violence against native rulers and the people of India.

He fought for restrictions on the powers of the [[East India Company]] in its administration of [[India]]; in particular he used stunningly brilliant speeches to lead the greatest impeachment trial in the history of the [[British Empire]], that of the first governor-general of India for the East India Company, Warren Hastings 1732–1818. He was alleged to have committed "high crimes and misdemeanours" during his governorship of India, 1772–1785. Hastings was charges with financial corruption, use of political power for extorting bribes from native rulers of India, abuse of judicial authority, despotism, and arbitrary rule; he was being tried specifically for illegally occupying territory in India by launching aggressive offensive and criminal wars against native rulers, treaty violations, and for open violence against native rulers and the people of India.

Burke charged that the corrupt state of Indian government could be remedied only if it were taken from both the crown and the company. He proposed that India be governed by a board of independent commissioners in London.  

Burke charged that the corrupt state of Indian government could be remedied only if it were taken from both the crown and the company. He proposed that India be governed by a board of independent commissioners in London.  

==French Revolution==

==French Revolution==

Burke supported military intervention against the [[French Revolution]] and for tighter controls of civil Liberties in Britain, so as to prevent such an occurrence happening there. Rejecting  [[Jean Jacques Rousseau]] (1712-78) and the philosophes, Burke said the popular will does not really exist, but that the ancient constitution did, and it should be upheld.  

Burke supported military intervention against the [[French Revolution]] and for tighter controls of civil Liberties in Britain, so as to prevent such an occurrence happening there. Rejecting  [[Jean Jacques Rousseau]] (1712-78) and the philosophies, Burke said the popular will does not really exist, but that the ancient constitution did, and it should be upheld.  

His great book ''Reflections On the Revolution in France'' (1790) was ignored at the time but in the long run helped reduce revolutionary sentiments among British thinkers, and had a significant impact on Italian and French conservatives.   

His great book ''Reflections On the Revolution in France'' (1790) was ignored at the time but in the long run helped reduce revolutionary sentiments among British thinkers, and had a significant impact on Italian and French conservatives.   

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 philosophies. 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>   

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>