Edmund Burke (1729-1797)
Perhaps the most influential of the early conservatives was Edmund Burke, born in Dublin, Ireland, the son of a lawyer of means. Burke became the philosopher and organizer of aristocratic conservatism in England, and served in parliament for 30 years. He was a superb champion and force behind the governing principle of natural law, prescription, or the guidance of tradition and mores, and prejudice, in the sense of a natural order of men or an aristocracy.
Here is a selection from his writings taken from Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790):
“The science of constructing a commonwealth, or renovating it, or reforming it, is, like every other experimental science, not to be taught a priori. Nor is it a short experience that can instruct us in that practical science; because the real effects of moral causes are not always immediate, but that which in the first instance is prejudicial may be excellent in its remoter operation, and its excellence may arise even from the ill effects it produces in the beginning. The reverse also happens; and very plausible schemes, with very pleasing commencements, have often shameful and lamentable conclusions…. The science of government….therefore…requires…more experience than any person can gain in his whole life – however sagacious and observing he may be – and it is with infinite caution that any man ought to venture upon pulling down an edifice which has answered in any tolerable degree for ages the common purposes of society.”
An example for our times is the current suggestion by some on the Left, including Hillery Clinton, that the electoral college has outlived its usefulness and should be revised. The college has been an edifice of government for over 200 years of existence of the US, which must mean that, following Burke's admonition, it should not be altered without infinite caution and long reflection by our leaders and by the people themselves.
# posted by Mannning @ 10:53 PM
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